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Lafayette Day, September 6,1919 

Call issued by the Lafayette Day 
National Committee 

and 

Report of the National Observance in the 

United States of the double anniversary 

September 6, 1918 of the Birth of 

Lafayette (1 757) and the Battle 

of the Marne (1914) 



This book contains the first pubHcation of the full text of the address 
dehvered by Theodore Roosevelt on Lafayette Day, 1918, (one of his last 
notable utterances dealing with Americanism and Peace) as also of the 
addresses deliv( red on the same occasion by His Excellency, the 
French Ambassador, Secretary Daniels, Count de Chanrbrun, Major-General 
Crozier (on the Battle of the Marne), M. Stephane Lauzanne, Hon. Alton 
B. Parker, Hon. John J. Bates, Mr. Justice de Courcy and M. Louis Mercier. 



Li. . 4 



<3j < ^AAe< « 



LAFAYETTE DAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1919. 

ANNIVERSARY OF LAFAYETTE (1757) AND THE 

MARNE (1914). 



Call issued by the Lafayette Day National Committee 



In August, 191 5, this Committee upon its formation 
commended to the nation the opportunity to celebrate on September 
6th of that year the anniversary of the birth of Lafayette in 1757 
and that of the Battle of the Marne in 1914. On July 14th of each 
succeeding year since that first call, this Committee has renewed its 
appeal to the American people to honor the memory of one 
of the noblest heroes of the American Revolution, thanks to whose 
efforts France's sympathy for the cause of freedom was given effec- 
tive expression at the crucial period of the struggle for 
American Independence, and to commemorate the victory of the 
Marne in 1914 when world freedom was saved from a deadly peril. 
To these four successive calls the press and public have responded 
with ever increasing readiness and enthusiasm and, last year, the 
President of the United States att'ended 'the exercises of the double 
anniversary at the Lafayette Monument in Washington, while Col- 
onel Theodore Roosevelt, who joined in every call heretofore issued 
by this Committee, was its spokesman at the principal exercises held 
in the City Hall. New York; and simultaneously, in hundreds of 
cities, towns and villages throughout the land, the day was fittingly 
observed. 

The movement thus initiated and carried on represents possibly 
the earliest expression on a national scale of the hope of America, 
now happily fulfilled, that liberty and justice might triumph in the 
greatest of human struggles which with our co-operation has been 
l)rought to a victorious end. 

Wq gladly avail of this occasion to express publicly on our be- 
tialf and that of the numerous committees and' societies throughout 
the land which have co-operated with us deep appreciation of the 



action of the governors of the States of Tennessee, Nevada, Ohio, 
Massachusetts, Georgia and Indiana and of the Governor of Porto, 
Rico who, in response to our preceding call when brought to their 
attention by the American Defense Society issued special proclama- 
tions for the fitting observance of Lafayette Day in 1918. Our 
report for last year includes these proclamations and, showing as it 
does that the patriotic observance of the day has become truly 
national, we trust it may induce the governors of the same states 
to take similar action this year and that their example may be fol- 
lowed by their colleagues in the other states. 

Again issuing our call on July 14th, when France commemorates 
lier age-long struggles for liberty which eventually brought the whole 
civilized world to her support and its defense, we venture anew to 
remind our people that in honoring Lafayette upon his anniversary, 
made doubly memorable for all mankind by the Battle of the Marne. 
we shall be giving expression to the feeling of fraternal regard for 
our sister republic, our ally of old and of today, which exists among 
all elements of our people, and shall be celebrating with her the day 
which turned the tide of battle for freedom and the right, giving us 
time to organize our forces on land and sea and to provide the 
factor which proved decisive. 



Charles W. Eliot 


(Mass.) 


Henry Watterson 


(Ky.) 


Moorfield Storey 


" 


Charles J. Bonaparte 


(Md.) 


♦Joseph H. Choate 




Caspar F. Goodrich 


(Conn.) 


Joseph H. Choate, Jr. 


(N.Y.) 


W. R. Hodges 


(Mo.) 


Henry van Dyke 


(N.J.) 


Charles P. Johnson 


« 


*Theodore Roosevelt 


(N.Y.) 


Judson Harmon 


(Ohio) 


Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. 


« 


Myron T. Herrick 


" 


George W. Wickersham 


« 


Charles Stewart Davison 


(N.Y.) Hon. Sec 


George Haven Putnam 


<i 


Maurice Leon 


" Rec. Sec. 


William D. Guthrie 


<i 


Room 1008, 60 Wall Street 


New York 




The Lafayette Monument, Union Square, N. Y., on Lafayette Day, Sept. 6, 1918. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Call Issued by Lafayette Day National Committee i 

Proclamatit)n by the Governor of Tennessee 2 

" Nevada 3 

" Ohio 4 

" Massachusetts 5 

" Porto Rico 6 

" Georgia 8 

Exercises at City Hall, New York : 

Address — Hon. Victor J. Dowling, Chairman 16 

Reading of Messages by Mr. Leon : 

Marshal Joffre 2;^ 

" Foch . , 24 

General Pershing 24 

Admiral Sims 24 

Ambassador Sharp 25 

Sir David Beatty 25 

Poem — Mr. John J. Chapman 26 

Address — Col. Theodore Roosevelt 27 

Address — The French Am.bassador 35 



Exercises at Statue of Lafayette, Union Square, New York. 
Address — Hon. Alton E. Parker 



47 

47 



Exercises at the Mall, Central Park, New York : 

Children's Fete 54 

Exercises in Washington, D. C c,/ 

Address — Hon. Josephus Daniels 50 

"' — Count Charles De Chambrun 6^ 

Exercises in Boston, Mass go 

Address — Mayor Andrew J. Peters 70 

" — Hon. John J. Bates 7 j 

■ " — Mr. Charles A. DeCourcy 77 

" — Major- General William Crozier, U. S. A ni 

" — M. Louis J. A. Mercier lo- 



CONTENIS 



Lafayette Day in Other Cities : 

Milwaukee 

Address — Stephane Lauzanne 

Philadelphia 

Los Angeles , 

Chicago 

New Orleans 

Portland, Oregon 

Little Rock 

Nashville 

Squirrel Island 

Beaumont 

Cincinnati 

Seattle 

St. Paul 

Richmond 

Indianapolis 

Atlanta 

Athens 

Hartford 

Berkeley 

Jersey City 

Bayonne 

Seattle 

Albany 

Buffalo 

Auburn 

Stamford 



PAGE 



American Defense Society Meetings 

Lafayette Day in the Camps 

Lafavette Dav and the Press 



LAFAYETTE DAY 1918 
Anniversary of Lafayette and The Marne 

Call issued by the Lafayette Day National Committee 

60 Wall Street, 

New York. 

That the nation may celebrate this year, as it has in each of the 
three past years, the anniversary of Lafayette's birth, September 
6th, 1757, and that of the Battle of the Marne on the same day in 
1914, the undersigned for a fourth time commend to you the oppor- 
tunity thus afforded to honor the memory and commemorate the 
deeds of one of the noblest heroes of the American Revolution, 
thanks to whose efforts France's sympathy for the cause of free- 
dom was given effective expression at a crucial period of the 
struggle for American Independence, as also the Victory of the 
Manie in 1914 when again the threatened cause of Freedom was 
saved. In each of the last three years the press at large has con- 
tributed to the ever-renewed patriotic interest of our people in the 
personality and achievements of Lafayette by means of leading 
articles published on or near the day of the anniversary and it is 
hoped it will do so again this year; and municipalities acting with 
the co-operation of patriotic societies are urged to again hold suit- 
able exercises upon that day, as has been done for now several 
years in a number of our principal cities, many of which possess 
monuments in honor of Lafayette. 

Issuing this call on July 14th, when France commemorates her 
own personal struggle for liberty, we are not unmindful that in 
honoring Lafayette upon his anniversary, a date made doubly 
memorable by the Battle of the Marne, we shall also be giving 
expression to the sentiment of fraternal' regard for our sister 
republic, our ally of old and of to-day, which exists among all 
elements of our people and shall be celebrating with her the day 
which turned the tide of battle for freedom and the right. 

Charles W. Eliot (Mass.) 
Moorfield Storey 
*Joseph H. Choate 

Joseph H. Choate, Jr. (N.Y.) 

Henry van Dyke (N.J.) 

Theodore Roosevelt (N.Y.) 

George W. Wickersham " 

George Haven Putnam " 
William D. Guthrie 



Henry Watterson 


(Ky.) 


Charles J. Bonaparte 


(Md.) 


Caspar F. Goodrich 


(Conn.) 


W. R. Hodges 


(Mo.) 


Charles P. Johnson 




Judson Harmon 


(Ohio) 


Myron T. Herrick 


" 


Charles Stewart Davison 


(N.Y.) Hon. Sec. 


Maurice Leon 


Rec. Sec. 



Proclamation by the Governor of Tennessee 

A PROCLAMATION 
Bv THE Governor 

Because of the ravages of the war the civilian population of 
France has Been submitted to great suffering. The women and chil- 
dren have in many cases lost their homes ; in fact, their all and it is 
said that manv are wanderers, traveling about the country living 
on charity. Notwithstanding this depressing situation her soldiers 
are fighting bravely with our own and we have reason to believe 
that she will continue to give as long as she has a soldier to oft'er. 

Through an organization called the Fatherless Children of 
France, of which General Joft're is President, an arrangement has 
been made under which, for the sum of $36.50 per year, a child can 
be clothed and fed. This arrangement was made for the purpose of 
caring for those children particularly whose fathers have been killed 
in the war and who are now without support, and it is said that it 
will permit the French mothers to keep their children at home where 
they may themselves care for them. 

This appeal, coming as it does from little children, will. I am 
sure, reach the hearts of Tennessee's men and w'omen ; in fact, all 
Americans, and I recommend that on September 6th. which is 
Lafayette Day. and also the fourth anniversary of the First Battle 
of the Marne. our men and women and children interest themselves 
in a collection for the benefit of the children of France. Gifts of 
any size may be sent to Sam. H. Orr. Nashville Trust Company. 
Nashville. Tenn., who will forward the total sum donated to the 
French officers in charge of this charity which is headed by General 
ToftVe. 

I also recommend that on that day the French colors be displayed 
on all public and private buildings of this State and that the 
Marsellaise be sung or played as generally as possibly. 

Done at the executive office this, the 3rd day 
[State Seal] of August, 1918. Witness my hand and the 
Great Seal of the State of Tennessee. 

By the Governor : TOM. C. AYRE 

Secretary of State. Governor. 

Tk. B. Ste\'ens. 



Proclamation by the Governor of Nevada 

STATE OF NEVADA 

Executive Chamber 

Carson City 

A PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR. 

Whereas, the La Fayette Day National Committee has called 
attention to the fact that the Sixth Day of September marks two 
great events in the history of France and Freedom, to wit : 

THE BIRTHDAY OF THE MARQUIS de LA FAYETTE, 1757 

and 

THE DECISIVE BATTLE OF THE MARXE, 1914 

\ 
And Whereas, it is fitting that such an anniversary be observed 
in the State of Nevada in common with the other States of the 
Union ; 

Now Therefore, I, Emmet D. Boyle, Governor of the State 
of Nevada, by authority in me vested, do proclaim the foregoing and 
earnestly suggest to the people that this anniversary be observed and 
celebrated in the schools, churches and public places. As a 
permanent mark of the significance of this anniversary it is planned 
in some of the larger cities of the Union to set aside a site in some 
public place for a statue or bust of La Fayette, whose precept and 
example turned the tide of fortune in our Revolutionary times no 
less gloriously than the deeds of his gallant successors at the Marne 
preserved the liberties of our own times. 

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the 
State of Nevada at the Capitol in Carson City, 
[State Seal] this 24th day of August in the year of our Lord 
one thousand nine hundred and eighteen. 

By the Governor : EMMET D. BOYLE, 

George Brodigan, Governor. 

Secretary of State. 



Poclamation by the Governor of Ohio 

State of Ohio 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 

Columbus 
PROCLAMATION 

The one hundred and sixty-first anniversary of the birth of 
Marquis de Lafayette, the great French hero and friend of the 
American Colonies, is September sixth, 1918. 

The anniversary of the Battle of the Marne, 1914, which resulted 
in stopping the first German drive to Paris, falls on the same date. 
Every loyal American citizen knows today that our own liberty was 
at stake in that drive. Observance of this double anniversary is 
eminently fitting. 

I, therefore, James M. Cox, Governor of Ohio, proclaim Septem- 
ber sixth, 1918, as a day to be observed in perpetuating the memory 
of the Marquis de Lafayette and in evidencing our gratitude for the 
victory of the Marne. It is respectfully urged that wherever public 
meetings can be properly arranged throughout the state, attention 
be given to these matters, and such action taken as will demon- 
strate the sincerity of our words. 

In Testimony Whereof. I have hereunto sub- 
scribed my name and caused the Great Seal of 
[Great Seal] the State of Ohio to be affixed, in the City of 
Columbus this twenty-sixth day of August in the 
year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and 
eighteen. 
By the JAMES M. COX, 

Secretary of State Governor. 

William D. Fulton. 



Proclamation by the' Governor of Massachusetts 

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 
By His Excellency Samuel W. McCall, Governor. 

A PROCLAMATION. 

To the end that our thoughts may be more particularly directed 
toward those ties that bind tis to France, not only of the present, 
when we are fighting by her side, but also of that day when she 
was instrumental in helping us obtain our Hberties, and in recognition 
of that valient son of hers who was a friend of the American 
colonies, and who perhaps more than any other helped us in obtain- 
ing our freedom, I hereby set aside the 

SLXTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 
as 
LAFAYETTE DAY 

and urge its observance upon all our people in ways that will best 
show our lasting appreciation. The day falls on the one hundred 
and sixty-first anniversary of the birth of this great French hero. 
It is also the anniversary of the battle of the Marne which turned 
the tide of barbarism in nineteen hundred and fourteen. General 
Lafayette was the very knight errant of humanity and democracy. 
The benefit of his service to our country was incalculable, and his 
presence was a constant inspiration to Washington. He was a 
leader for democracy, for the distribution of the burdens of govern- 
ment, for freedom of speech, for the destruction of privilege, and 
for the establishment of an era of justice among all men, but he was 
opposed to the excesses, to the bloodshed, and to the crimes of the 
Revolution. His career is the treasure of the race. It is not merely 
a possession of his country or of our own but it exalts and en- 
nobles mankind everywhere. 'His fame is all the more luminous be- 
cause there was nothing about it of self seeking, and because of his 
steady devotion to high principles. In honoring him and the nation 
that gave him to us we can show our gratitude in no better way 
than by the generous bounty of our charity. The hero of the Marne, 
Marshall JofTre, is President of a most worthy French charity. The 



Proclamation by the Govern'or of Porto Rico 

Fatherless Children of France, and to the requests of this organiza- 
tion I direct the attention of all our people. 

Given at the Executive Chamber at Boston this 
fourth day of September, in the year of Our Lord 
one thousand nine hundred and eighteen, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America, the 
one hundred and forty-third. 

By His Excellency the Governor. 

[State Seal] ' SAMUEL W. McCALL, 

GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



GOVERNMENT OF PORTO RICO 

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY. 



San Juan, P. R., September 4, igi8. 
Administrative 
Bulletin 
No. 146. 

By THE Governor of Porto Rico 

A Proclamation. 
"Lafayette Day." 

Next Friday, September the 6th, will be the anniversary of the 
birth of the great French soldier and statesman the Marquis of 
Lafayette, who placed his intelligence and his sword at the disposal 
of America in the struggle for the principles of freedom that were 
and are the foundation of our Constitution and national life. 

Lafayette was the noble and heroic leader of those French 
legions which throughout the war for our independence bravely 
fought shoulder to shoulder with the American troops in the memor- 
able battles recorded on the first pages of the History of the United 
States, and it is the unquestionable duty of every good patriot to 
render an homage of love and gratitude to his memory, thereby 
extolling the notable deeds of his whole glorious life. 

6 



Proclamation by the Governor of Porto Rico 

Besides being: the birthday of that g^reat man, September the 
6th is also the anniversary of the first battle of the Marne. This 
was one of the greatest feats of arms that have ever taken place in 
the history of the world and was the turnino^ point in this gigantic 
war for the liberty of mankind. Another battle of almost equal 
importance has recently taken place upon this sacred river of 
France, whose waters have twice been reddened with the blood of 
the heroes of liberty both French and American. 

T request that as far as possible the buildings public and private 
be decorated with the colors of France and in other ways the respect 
of the people be shown for a great man and a great cause. 

Let us therefore celebrate this double anniversary with the 
greatest enthusiasm, and trusting in the justice of our cause, let us 
all join in showing our love and devotion for Lafayette as a way of 
reaffirming our unshakeable faith in the heroic armies that have 
twice saved the world at the Marne and will continue their victories 
till the final triumph. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and 
caused the seal of The People of Porto Rico to be affixed. 

Done at the City of San Juan, this fourth day of September, 
A. D. one thousand nine hundred and eighteen. 
[seal] ' ARTHUR YAGER, 

Governor. 
Promulgated according to law, September 4. 1918. 

R. SiACA Pacheeo, 
Executive Secretary of Porto Rico. 



Proclamation by the Governor ^of Georgia 
PROCLAMATION. 

Friday, September 6th next, marks a glorious day in the world's 
calendar. It commemorates an event sacred to two hemispheres. 
On this day — one hundred and sixty-one )-ears ago — the great 
Palladin of Liberty was born. The approaching anniversary 
awakens in our hearts a feeling of gratitude, and reminds us once 
more of our debts to France. It reminds us, too, of the silent hil- 
locks in which so many of our boys are sleeping, under foreign 
skies. These mounds of earth will be an eternal pledge of friend- 
ship between France and America. The soil in which our boys lie 
buried will always be dear to us. 

At last a stigma upon our flag has been erased. It was in the 
darkest hours of the Revolution that LaFayette came to us, bring- 
ing upon his sword a new hope and a fresh inspiration. Without 
the help of France, it is doubtful if the independence of the colonies 
could have been achieved. In his own vessel, the great soldier of 
fortune came to America. Though born to a princely inheritance, 
he put everything aside for freedom. Till independence was 
achieved, his gallant blade was never for a moment idle and next 
to Washington he stood amid the culminating scenes of the Revolu- 
tion. Great in success, he was greater still in misfortune. The 
forfeiture of his magnificent estates did not impair his devotion to 
free government. He was the steadfast friend of liberty while he 
lived and to all who cherish the rights of mankind the heroic 
sacrifices made by LaFayette to the cause of freedom will ever 
be held in grateful recollection. 

To the end that his memory may be fittingly honored by the 
people of Georgia as an examplar of the heroic virtues which, in 
the present crisis of the world, must characterize those who are 
fighting the battles of democracy — to the end that the youth of our 
state mav be taught the lessons of an illustrious life, and that all 
of us mav be strengthened for the tasks in hand, I, Hugh M. 
Dorsey, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby designate 
Sept. 6th next as LaFayette Day, to be observed with appropriate 
exercises throughout the State and likewise, in this official pro- 
clamation, I call upon all patriotic societies to imite in making the 
day one long to be remembered. 

Given under mv hand and Seal of the Executive Department, 
this September 4th; 1918. HUGH M. DORSEY, 

By the Governor: Governor. 

C. A. West, 

Secretary Executive Department. 

8 



Proclamation by the Governor of Indiana 
PROCLAMATION 

The i6ist anniversary of the birth of the great Frenchman finds 
the descendants of Washington and LaFayette fighting side by side 
for the same precious hberty for which the two national heroes 
fought nearly a century and a half ago. And this, too, is to be a 
winning fight, a fight which will not end until the enemies of freedom 
and humanity shall lay down their arms and accej^t the dictates of 
modern civilization ; will not end until the powers of political dark- 
ness are so decisively beaten that never again will a power mad 
monarch dare to defy the world under the slogan that 'might makes 
right.' 

Therefore, in order that we may at this time reflect upon the 
great friendship and ideals now existing in common between the 
peoples of the United States and the republic of France, I, James P. 
Goodrich, Governor of Indiana, do hereby designate Friday, Sep- 
tember sixth, the anniversary of the great Frenchman and of the 
first battle of the Marne as 

LaFayette Day 

and do suggest that the people of Indiana do observe it by the proper 
display of flags and by such patriotic exercises as are practicable. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and caused to be afiixed the Great Seal 
[State Seal] of the State of Indiana, at the Capitol, in the 
City of Indianapolis, this 9th day of September, 
1918. 

J. P. GOODRICH, 
By the Governor : Governor. 

William A. Roach, 
Secretary of State. 



LAFAYETTE DAY CITIZENS' COMMITTEE OF XEW YOBK 



Lawrence F. Abbott 
John G. Agar 
Richard Aldrich 
(.'ourtland V. Anable 
(^irham Bacon 
Uobert Bacon 
I'eter T. Barlow 
I'hilii) Golden Bartlett 
Willard Bartlett 
(ieorge Gordon Battle 
Kdniund L. Baylies 
.1 ;imes M. Beck 
i liarles K. Beekman 
Maj. Gen. Bell, U. S. A. 
August Belmont 
S. Readins Bertron 
(George Blasrden 
0. N. Bliss, Jr. 
tJeorge M. Bodman 
John W. Brannan 
Kdward C. Bridgman 
Gen. Oliver B. Bridgman 
Franklin Q. Brown 
George W. Burleigh 
( 'harles C. Burlingham 
Gharles Butler 
N icholas Murray Butler 
James Bvme 
William" M. Calder 
Newcomb Carlton 
Osoar R. Cauchois 
John J. Chapman 
Joseph H. Choate, Jr. 
T. I.iidlow Chrvstie 
K. Flovd Clarke 
William A. Coffin 
Heiirv D. Cooper 
l^auri). Cravath 
William Re<imond Cross 
F. Cnnliffe-Owen 
William E. Curtis 
R. Fulton Cutting 
Howland Davis 
(^has. Stewart Davison 

E. Mora Davison 
Robert W. DeForest 
William Curtis Demorest 

F. S. Grand d'Hauteville 
I "harles DeRham 
(.'levelaiid H. Dodge 
Hon. Frank L. Dowling 
ITon. Victor J. Dowling 
Charles A. Downer 
William Kinnicutt Draper 
Henr,\ Rus.«ell Drowne 
Carmll Dunh.im 
FUswortli Eliot, Jr. 
Richard E. Enright 
Allen W Evarts 
William Bailey Faxon 
Hamilton Fish 

John Flanagan 
John n. Finley 
Frederick DePeyster Foster 
Austen G. Fox 
Amos Tuck French 
Algernon S. Fr'ssell 
Frederick Gallatin 
Sumner Gerard 
Frs"klin H. Giddings 
Cass Gilbert 
l.afinetteB. Gleason 



Lawrence Godkin 

Harold Godwin 

Richard Gottheil 

Madison Grant 

Rev. Dr. Percy Stickney Giant 

Henry G. Gray 

Right Rev. Dr. David p. Gnf.' 

William D. Guthrie 

Montgomery Hallowell 

Learned Hand 

Edward Harding 

Henry Winthrop Hardon 

J. Montgomery Hare 

McDougall Hawkes 

Toll E. Hedges 

Alexander J. Hemphill 

A. Barton Hepburn 

Chas. R. Hickox 

Hon. George C. Holt 

Gerald Livingston Hovt 

Charles E. Hughes 

Richard M. Hurd 

Hon. John F. Hylan 

Owen Johnson 

Lucien Jouvaud 

Boudinot Keith 

James E. Kelly 

Howard Thayer Kingsbury 

Maurice Kozmynski 

Alvin W. Krech 

E. Henry Laconibe 

Thomas W. Lamont 

M. B. Leahy 

George L. Leblanc 

Maurice Leon 

DeWitt M. Ixjckman 

Will H. Low 

Charles E. LyrtecTKer 

Wallace MacFarlane 

H. Snowden Marshall 

E. S. Martin 

Alexander T. Mason 

John G. Milburn 

Charles R. Miller 

Edward P. Mitchell 

Edward C. Moen 

Victor Morawetz 

•T. Pierpont Morgan 

Robert C. Morris 

Charles C. Nadal 

Stephen P. Nasli 

Carlisle Norwood 

Walter G. Oakman 

Stephen H. Olin 

Peter B. Olnev 

Robert Olyphant 

Talbot Olyphant 

Samuel H. Ordway 

E. H. Outerbridge 

Alton B. Parker 

William Parkin 

Rev. Dr. Ivcighton Parks 

(?eorge Faster Pealiody 

Edward H. Peaslee 

Hon. Francis K. Pendleton 

Rev. Dr. John P. Peters 

H. Hobart Porter 

William .V. Purrington 

George Haven Putnam 

John Quinn 

William C. Redffeld 

Ogden Reid 



Theodore Roosevelt 

Talbot Root 

Theodore Rousseau 

Charles Howland Russell 

William J. Schietfelin 

Mortimer L. Schiff 

Charles Scribner 

Lawi-ence E. Sexton 

Edward W. Sheldon 

P. Tecumseh Sherman 

Rev. Dr. Joseph Silvennan 

Frank H. Simonds 

John W. Simpson 

R. A. 0. Smith 

Nelson S. Spencer 

Francis Lynde Stetson 

Frederick Boyd Stevenson 

Augustus Thomas 

Cof. Robt. M. Thonipson 

Dr. William Gilman Tlionipson 

J. Kennedy Tod 

Allen Tucker 

Bayard Tuckerman 

Eliot Tuckerman 

Paul Tuckerman 

Rear Adm'l N. R. Usher. U. S. N. 

William B. Van Ingen 

Frank .\. Vanueritp 

William R. Warren 

T, Tile.ston Wellst 

Alfred T. White 

(Jeorge W. Wickersham 

Williom G. Wilcox 

George T. Wilson 

Louis Wiley 

Beekman Wintlirop 

Dr. Stephen S. Wise 

Arthur King Wood 

John M. Woolsey 

James A. Wright 

Rev. T. Wucher 

Geiirge Zubriskie 



L.vDiKs Section 

Mrs. Gertrude Atlierton 
Mrs. Robert Bacon 
Mrs. Sanford Bissau 
Mrs. Herbert L. Bodman 
Miss Helen Varick Boswell 
Mrs. Wni. Astor Chandh'r 
-Mrs. John Jay Chapman 
Mi-s. Charles II. Dit.son 
Mrs. Carroll Dunham 
Mrs. Haniilt.m R. Fairfax 
Mi-s. Herbert I^ Griggs 
Mrs. William D. Guthrie 
Mrs. E. H. flarriman 
Mrs. J. Borden Harriman 
Miss Winifred Holt 
Miss Luisita A. Leiand 
Miss Adah E. Marks 
Mrs. Frederick Nathan 
Mrs. Dougla.s Robinson 
Mrs. Livingston Row Schuyler 
Mrs. .\rthur H. Scribner 
Mrs. l.ouis Liviiig>ton Seaman 
Mr..;. William G. Slade 
Mrs. George Wilson Smith 
Mi-s. Frai k A. Vanderlip 
Mr^. \\lut;i-'> Warren 



lO 



Officers and Special Committees of 
Lafayette Day Exercises held in New York 

/;/ coiiiuieiiioration of the double anniversary of the birth of 

Lafayette and the Battle of the Marne 

September 6th, ipiS. 



TllEODORE ROOSEVEf/r 

Honorary Prpsideiit 

CiiARi.Ks Stewart Davison" 
Honorary Secretary 



VUToi: J. Dowi.iXG 

Clidirmav 

VV. REnjioxn Cko^s 

Treasurer 



Maurke Leon, Uecurdiny Secretaiii 
60 Wall Stieet, New York 



Fjank A. Vanderlip 

Honorary Chairmen 



Mauiice Leon 

Chairman 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Peter T. Barlow 
William A. Coffin 
William Curtis Deinorest 
Charles DeRliam 
Jul. !•;. Hedges 



J. Pierpont Morgan 
Carlisle Norwood 
Jolm Qitinii 

Charles Howlantl Russell 
(Jeorge T. Wilson 



RECEPTION COMMITTEE 



Frank A. Vanderlip, Honorary Chairman 

George T. Wilson, luce-Chairman 

August Belmont 

William A. Coffin 

E. Mora Davison 

William Curtis Dernorest 

Charles A. Downer 

Henry Russell Drowne 

Richard P. Enright 

J. Montgomery Hallowell 

A. Barton Hepburn 

Hon. Charles E. Huyhes 



Hon. John F. Hyhin 
Will H. Low 
Alexander T. Mason 
John G. ililburn 
J. P. Morgan 
Samuel H. Ordway 
Hon. Francis K. Pendleton 
('harles Howland Russell 
William B. Van Ingen 
fJeorge W. Wickersham 
William G. Wilkox 
HaWii Stephen S. Wise 



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13 



Report in extenso of the principal 

Lafayette Day Exercises 

Held at the 

Aldermanic Chamber, City Hall, Sew York 
September 6th, igiS. 

Present: Hon. Victor J. Dowling, Chairman; His Excellency, 
the French Ambassador, Chief guest of honor and Mme. Jusserand ; 
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt; John Jay Chapman, Esq., the officers 
and members of the Lafayette Day Citizens' Committee (see b'st at 
pp. TO and 1 1 ) and the following officially invited guests : 

France: Rear- Admiral Grout, Commanding Atlantic Division 
of the French Xavy; Capt. Loyer; Capt. de Rocquefeuil; Com- 
mander LeGall, chief of staff ; Lieut, de Mandat-Grancey, aide ; 
Lieut. Commander Rebel; Lieut, de Chevigne; General Vignal, 
Military Attache of the French Embassj'; ^Ir. Gaston Liebert, 
Consul General of France ; Mr. Henri Goiran, Consul of France ; 
Comptroller Johaimet of the French High Commission; Mr. 
Marcel Knecht; Mr. Daniel Elumenthal; Maitre Frederic 
Allain ; Mr. Andre Cheradame. 

Belgium: Major Osterreith of the Belgian Army. 

British Empire: .Sir Henrj' Babington Smith, Acting High 
Commissioner; Commodore L. Wells, R. X.; Brig. General 
L. R. Kenyon, C. B. ; }kIajor Xorman G. Thwaites, Geoffrey 
Butler, C. Qive Bayley, Consul General; Lieut. CoL G. Mait- 
land Edv/ards, Capt. B. S. Evans, R. X. ; Capt. Kenneth Hend- 
erson, R. X.; Major Eric Lankester, Capt: C. P. Metcalfe, 
R- N.; Lieut H. C. Treweets, R. X. 

Italy : General Emilio Guglielmotti, Militan.- Attache, and Capt. 
Vannutelli, Xaval Attache of the Italian Embassy ; Mr. Romolo 
Tritoni, Consul General of Italy ; Col. Bindo Binda, Lieutenants 
Tappi and Tantimorri, ^f r. Felice Ferrero. 

Japan: Capt. Yakura, Xaval Attache; Chonosuke Yada, Consul 
General ; Y. Hatada. 

Russia : Col. A. !M. Xikolaieff, and two aides ; Lieut. Commander 
G. P. Piotrovsky, Xaval Attache of the Russian E^.bassy; 
Lieut. Ccrannander M, Gardeneff, Michael Oustinoff, Consul 
General 

15 



Lafayette Day in Neiv York— Principal Exercises 

Czecho-Slovakia: Trof. T.J. Masaryk, General Stefamk, Capt 
Hurban, 

Poland: Ignace Paderewski ; T. M. Helinski; Dr. Sparzynski. 

Portugal: Alfredo de Mesquinth, Consul General. 

Haiti: Charles Moravia, Consul General. 

United States: Rrig.-Gen. Theodore A. Bingham, U. S. A., and 
Aide ; Rear- Admiral W. R. Usher, U. S. N., and Aide ; Rear- 
Admiral C. F. Goodrich. 

These guests were met at the Bar Association Building, West 
44th Street, by the Reception Committee, which accompanied them 
to City Hall, attended by an escort of motor cycle police. The city 
was profusely decorated with flags, particularly along the route 
followed by the ]xarty. City Hall was suitably decorated for the 
occasion ; the decoration of the Aldermanic Chamber centered about 
Morse's portrait of Lafayette which had been placed over the plat- 
form. As the gnests entered the "'Marseillaise" was played. 



ADDRESS BY HON. VICTOR J. DOWLING (Chairman). 

Ladies and Gentlemen : 

It is my privilege as Chairman of the Lafayette Day Citizens' 
Coniuiittee of New York, to welcome this distinguished gathering, 
assembled to commemorate two events inseparably connected with 
the history of human liberty — the birth of Lafayette and the .first 
battle of the Marne. Sei)arated though these happenings were by 
more than a century and a half, they are logically connected, for 
the ardent and chivalrous love of freedom, which was the dominating 
force in the life of Lafayette, was the inspiration of French valor 
that made possible the first great overturn of the invaders at the 
Marne. 

Few are the names that thrill the hearts of men for more than 
n generation. Fewer still those that can wield a power beyond the 
confines of their native land. Yet here is one whose memory is 

16 



Address of Hon. Victor J. Dozding, Chairman 

revered uy two great republics, after the lapse of a century, and at 
whose grave in Paris today our military leaders voice the gratitude 
of millions across the ocean which he found so sure a pathway to 
glory. It is singularly appropriate that immortal fame should have 
come to one of the most unselfish figures in history. The youth 
who could say of the American Revolution, "At the first news of 
this quarrel, m}- heart was enrolled in it," soon proved the sincerity 
of his affection. He risked everj'thing in the cause, with all the 
ardor and the devotion which characterize a true Frenchman. His 
earnestness was irresistible and disarmed even the most suspiciou<:. 
but defeated his desire to serve as a volunteer without command and 
without pay. And so, a Major General at 19, he entered on the 
career which made him one of the last heirs of the ages of chivalry, 
and a new Chevalier Bayard, "sans peur et sans reproche." What 
a destiny was his, to see the birth of the new Republic of the West, 
to view the death of autocracy in France, to witness the end of the 
attempt at world domination by Napoleon, and as well to have been 
the belowed confidant of Washington and to live to receive the 
homage of the fast growing republic which he had done so much 
to aid. His patent to fame may rest securely upon the motive which 
impelled him to risk all for America — "This was the last struggle 
of liberty ; its defeat would have left it without a refuge and without 
a hope." 

And it was animated by that same spirit of Lafayette's devotion, 
that the heroic French soldiers, after sustaining burdens seemingly 
beyond human endurance, and when the breathless world dared 
hope for no more from them, stood at the word of command from 
the great leader, Marshal Joffre and then leaped forward and de- 
livered the blow for which they seemed to have gathered force from 
the soil of France itself, since mortal strength could do no more. 
But they knew it was not France alone that they were defending, 
nor even the homes and families so dear to their hearts. They 
were fighting for human liberty and human civilization, and with 
them fought the spirits of every hero who had drawn the sword to 
defend the right. What wonder that the exhausted but indomitable 
soldiers saw in the clouds above them, leading them into the fray, 
the vjsion of Jeanne d'Arc with glittering sword and shining armor, 
pointing the way into the heart of the foe? What wonder that 

17 



Lafayette Day in Nezv York — Principal Exercises 

others saw with equal clarity, St. Genevieve, who had intervened to 
save by her prayers her beloved city of Paris from the threatened 
assault of Attila and his earlier horde of Huns? With them went 
forth the hopes and prayers of every man and woman and child 
in the world who feared God and loved his neighbor. And where 
could the fate of civilization be more fitly determined than on the 
soil of France, already consecrated by the blood of those who had 
died to save it once before, when Charles Martel dealt the mortal 
blow to Saracen supremacy at Poitiers. 

But since we met a year ago to celebrate these glorious anni- 
versaries, history has been in the making. Where then wc were 
determined and hopeful, now we are confident and certain. The 
beast that has wallowed in the fairest fields of France is slov;ly drag- 
ging its wounded bulk back toward its lair, and while it still shov.'S 
its reddened tusks and gory lips, it is bleeding from every pore. 
Soon it will be surrounded by a ring of steel from which escape Vv'ill 
be impossible, and while its death struggle may be violent, its end 
is assured. What the invaded countries have suffered during the 
past year, no one can realize and I doubt if any one v^-ill ever dare 
to record. Attila boasted that no grass ever grew again on the 
spots where his horse had trod. The modern Huns have sought h\ 
insane fury to destroy the very ground itself. To destroy the 
homes of a people seemed commonplace to them ; they sought to 
annihilate everything that spoke of past or present glory. The 
shrines which the devotion of centuries had reared to God and 
which had since been the inspiration of every age and land, were 
no more sacred to them than those whose lives had been devoted 
to God's service. They destroyed everything of historic value that 
they could not carry away, and then they killed the fruit trees, as 
the last monument of their valor. And when they had disposed of 
evervthing living within their reach, they violated the sepulchres 
of the dead. As they are retreating now, in impotent rage they 
crush evervthing within reach, for they know that they are going, 
never to return. But above the ruined, shell torn, corpse-strewn 
fields of France, there is a halo wdiich never hovered there in her 
days of greatest glory, and for all time the soil of France will be 
sacred ground to every lover of human freedom. (Applause). 

The situation in wl-.ioh the Allied nations find themselves today 

i8 



Address of Hon. Victor J. Dowling, Chairman 

is one to which each has contributed its share, nobly and unselfishly. 
What a glorious page in history will be written, when the full story 
ccmes to be told of the British Gran^ Fleet, that gallant, stalwart, 
heroic guardian of the seas, the skill and the dauntless courage of 
whose officers and men have caged the German navy in confessed 
impotency. Without that fleet, the transportation of reinforcements 
would have been impossible and the issue Vv'ould have been settled 
adversely long ago. And behold the "contemptible little army" now 
grown to such proportions that it seems the spontaneous growth of 
an aroused nation, rather than the heroes remaining after four years 
of titanic struggle. Belgium, one of the most pathetic figures in all 
history, is still undaunted and unconquered. Small though the part 
may be which still remains uninvaded, a Belgian army is in the field, 
steadily growing in numbers, holding its ovrn section of the com.mon 
line, and preserving the best traditions of the valorous "Lion of 
Flanders." Xot only has it been her mission to furnish one of the 
most heroic pictures in all history, but she has given to the world 
two great figures, typifying the spiritual courage which defies brute 
force, in King Albert and Cardinal Mercier. (Applause). Portugal 
has sent its full quota of gallant soldiers who have paid the price 
of freedom to the full. Japan has faithfully and loyally kept the 
faith (Applause), and her soldiers are fighting side by side with 
ours to save from itself that betrayed and helpless Russia, whose 
troops by their inroads into East Prussia, in the early stages of the 
War, kept busy many German divisions that otherwise would have 
been hurled against the W^estern line. And when has the v/orld 
ever witnessed a more inspiring spectacle than that of gallant Italy, 
aroused and irresistible, triumphantly indicating her title to her 
heritage of valor by the glorious victory of the Piave. (Applause). 
It is with reason that the United States will tomorrow launch a 
Q.ooo ton ship to be christened the "Piave," not only in recognition 
of that victory, but of the brilliant exploits of the Italian Navy as 
well. Greece, Serbia and all the other countries which are allied 
with us in the common c;^use. are enually bearing their share of the 
rom.mon burden. The call to arms for the preservation of human 
freedom has raised the hopes of all the oppressed throughout the 
world. New nations are in the making. Poles, Czecho-Slavs, Jugo- 
slavs — all find hope for escape from tyranny in the triumph of the 

19 



Lafayette Day in New York — Principal Exercises 

Allies and under their own banners they are fighting to earn that 
national independence which they have proven their worthiness to 
attain. The hopes of mankind are centered on a victory so decisive 
that there will be no disposition left to contest, at a peace confer- 
ence, the grant to every oppressed pople of the fullest possible meas- 
ure of freedom, in order that whatever is settled then may be settled 
rightly, and for all time. And of course that includes the restora- 
tion to France of Alsace-Lorraine (Applause), whose people not 
only are determined to be re-united to the motherland, but have 
proven it by the numbers of their sons who have distinguished 
themselves among the bravest of the French fighting forces. 

One hundred and seventy-one of its generals came from these 
provinces, for whose annexation to Germany there is not the slight- 
est excuse save the German desire to exploit their natural resources 
— particularly coal, iron and potash — in the struggle to subdue the 
rest of the world ; which is very good reason why their opportunity 
so to do should be ended forever. 

We in America have special cause to be proud of the contribu- 
tion we have made and shall make to the Allied cause. It is not 
merely because of the 1,600,000 men we have been able to send 
abroad, but chiefly by reason of the indomitable pluck, the reckless 
daring, the steadfast courage, which have marked their career thus 
far. Who has read unmoved the account of the combined opera- 
tions of the Marines and of the New England and Rainbow divi- 
sions in the earlier days of the second Marne victory? I have been 
told of one instance in July of this year, when the Prussian Guards 
were given orders to carry at all costs a section of trenches held by 
a battalion of a certain New York regiment which is giving fresh 
demonstration of the old friendship between France and Ireland. 
Nine successive times the Guards advanced in force against this 
unit, each time being repulsed, and after the ninth assault the Amer- 
ican boys went "over the top" and routed the Guards with the cold 
steel, over 700 of their number lying dead or seriously wounded on 
the field. The refusal of a commanding General to order his men 
to retreat will find a place in our annals with the reply which John 
Paul Jones made to the demand for the surrender of his almost dis- 
mantled ship, "I have not yet begun to fight." 

One of the most heartening things which the past year has 

20 



Address of Hon. Victor J. Dowling, Chairman 

brought about has been complete unity among the Allied nations. 
X'ot only unity of command, but unity of purpose, of aim, and of 
effort. If to this is added real unity of resources, now on the way 
to accomplishment, the ideal will have been realized. There is not 
a sign of dissension or mistrust among the Allies. Labor has done 
its full duty, while women have done wonders, alike in the industrial 
and the welfare field. Money has been ungrudgingly given, both for 
governmental and war service purposes. A united nation has given 
its best to the greatest of all causes. Truly has President Wilson 
said that this is a "war of emancipation" and that "we solemnly pur- 
pose a decisive victory of arms." Nothing short of that can end 
the constant menace to human rights from Prussian militarism, 
nor compel Germany to realize that the rules of morality apply to 
the relations between nations as well as between individuals. How 
the lesson can best be brought home to her, the future must unfold. 
Whether it is to be by indemnities for some of the wrongs she has 
committed; whether it is to be by international disarmament; or 
whether she shall be punished by industrial and commercial ostra- 
cism for a period proportioned to the duration of war; — all these 
things are still in the future. The German people have willingly 
lent themselves to this sordid scheme of aggression. They should be 
made in some way to pay a price which will deprive them — and 
every other people — of all desire to engage in any future adventure 
in international piracy. 

A.t the present moment, so favorable is the prospect that there 
is but one thing to fear, and that is over-confidence. The foe is 
watchful, acute and vindictive. He is still too strong to be held 
cheaply, nor can our vigilance relax for a moment. It would be a 
calamity were we to slow up our preparations or curtail our efforts 
in the mistaken idea that the war is now won. Glaring headlines 
do not capture towns, nor do extravagant claims win battles. As 
long as there is an Allied soldier left in the field, let us support the 
cause with every bit of energ\' and every element of force that we 
possess. The victorious end is crtain : let us help to hasten its 
arrival. 

It is a great joy to Americans that we are at last able to repay 
our debt to France. Her influence was felt in the discovery, explora- 
tion, colonization and civili^at^on of many sections of our country. 

21 



Lafayette Day in Nc'i.u York — Princil-al Exercises 

Her aid was vital in the achievement of our independence. Our 
historical association with Germany is mainly that of the Hessians 
whose services a German princeling sold to help to defeat us — a 
memory which not even a few isolated, patriotic figures of similar 
blood can efface. That sale was in line with German tradition, for 
there is now existent today a single nation whose freedom Germany 
has helped to win. With the France of yesterday and today, we are 
bound by memories of Lafayette, Rochambeau, De Grasse and 
d'Estaing. (Applause). It was on the prophetically named "La 
Victoire" — an auspicious omen — that Lafayette arrived in America. 
It is an equally happy omen that American arms have helped to 
carry victory to France in the second battle of the Marne. The 
union between these two great republics is now closer and more 
tender than ever, for our hearts shall ever deem that a second moth- 
erland under whose sod, stained with their heart's blood, so many 
of our noble boys have found a resting place. For all time, we 
shall venerate as shrines those places which the gallantry of our 
soldiers has made sacred to us. Fresh landmarks for freedom are 
being blazed every day. Grateful France is affixing American 
names to many and widely scattered public monum.ents. Grateful 
America within a few days will launch the "Marne" at the Kearney 
shipyards, and when that vessel has taken the water, a new super- 
dreadnaught will be on the ways, to be christened the "Lafayette,"' 
both to be sponsored by the gracious wife of the distinguished 
French Ambassador. Thus shall again be demonstrated the at- 
tachment of these two countries to each other and to the cause of 
human freedom. The noble self-eflFacement of Lafayette, in his 
proffer of his services to Washington, has found a parallel in Gen- 
eral Pershing's tender of his entire army for the disposal of General 
Foch. (Applause). The generous, sincere and devoted comrade- 
ship in a great cause which ensured immortality for the names of 
Washington and Lafayette is evident today in the loyal cooperation 
of Foch and Haig and Diaz and Pershing, as well as of all their 
efficient commanders. May that spirit soon win its reward in the 
complete triumph of the cause of justice, liberty and civilization. 
And when that day arrives, resplendent on the rolls on which a 
grateful world wdll record in letters of gold the debt it owes the 
heroes of the two great battles of the Marne. will appear a fresh 

22 



Reading of Messages by Mr. Leon 

tribute to the memory of the chivalrous Lafayette, whose spirit 
animated every participant in those decisive struggles. (Great ap- 
plause). 

The Chairman : Mr. Maurice Leon, Chairman of the Committee 
in charge of the celebration of the anniversary, will novv^ read several 
messages : 

Reading of Messages by Maurice Leon. 

The first message is from Raymond Poincare, President of the 
French Republic: (Applause.) 

"The French people, which feels itself, day by day, more 
closely united to the American people, is deeply touched by 
and grateful for the warm feeling once again shown by the 
citizens of the United States in honoring the double anni- 
versary of the birth of Lafayette and the victory on the 
Marne. 

"Tile celebration of these two events has now the gran- 
deur and the lustre of an historical symbol. 

"On the Marne France defended not only her own 
threatened libert}'-, but the injured rights of mankind itself. 
She has acted as the vanguard of the nations whom enemy 
imperialism had dreamed of subjugating. She gave the 
world time to prepare itself for the necessary struggle and 
thus saved it from slavery. 

"It was for liberty, too, that Lafayette fought by the side 
of Washington. The names of these two brothers in arms 
are inseparable, as are forever inseparable the hearts of 
America and of France. 

"If America has not forgotten Lafayette, if she has not 
forgotten Rochambeau, De Grasse, La Luzerne, and so many 
Frenchmen who had the proud joy of fighting for her at the 
dawn of her independence, how could France ever forget the 
wonderful influence that so many American soldiers bring 
her now? Every day I am witness of their magnificent 
ardor, of their courage and of their enthusiasm for the com- 
mon cause. 

"In the name of France, I send America a message of 
fidelity, afifection and admiration." 

(Signed) Raymond Poincare." (Applause). 

The second message is from Marshal Joft're: (Applause.) 

"At the hour when you are celebrating at the same time 
23 



Lafayette Day in New York — Principal Exercises 

the anniversary of the Battle of the Marne and that of the 
birth of Lafayette I join myself whole heartedly with you, 
happy to be able to applaud on this great day the first suc- 
cesses of the American Army upon the soil of France." 

(Signed) "J- Joffre." (Applause). 

The next message is from Marshal Foch: (Applause.) 

"It is in perfect communion of sentiment that I am with 
you today in the celebration of 'Lafayette Day.' Once more 
the union of our peoples will make our strength; the valor of 
the American soldiers testifies to it. 

"Those who fall die as brave men before God. If their 
eyes could open they would see the blue sky." 

(Signed) "Focn." (Applause). 

The next message is from General Pershing: (Applause.) 

"On this fourth anniversary of the great battle all people 
who love liberty and hate oppression unite in admiration and 
gratitude to those gallant soldiers of the French and British 
armies whose heroic acts turned back the advancing hordes 
of the enemy and made possible the progress of allied armies 
now gloriously advancing toward the final victory that will 
save the civilization of the world to future generations. It is 
with deep emotion that today we of the American Expedi- 
tionary Forces offer our homage to those brave men, both 
the living and the dead, and again confirm our devotion to 
their cause and again declare it to be our fixed purpose that 
their sacrifice shall not have been in vairi." 

(Signed) "Pp:rshing." (Applause). 

The next message is from Admiral Sims: (Applause.) 

"Today we rejoice in the celebration of two momentous 
events in our world's history, the birth of General Lafayette, 
September 6, 1757, and the fourth anniversary of the Battle 
of the Marne, which was so brilliantly fought September 6, 
1914. Those two events have not only co-related us to date, 
but more so in the effect upon the happiness of our two great 
countries, 

"General Lafayette, true general and talented officer, 
through the ceaseless vigil at N^alley Forge and the trying 
times to come, lent his priceless energy and ability without 
stint and from those beginnings have sprung our great de- 
mocracy, whose might, desire and willingness are today di- 

24 



Reading of Messages by Mr. Leon 

rected toward securing for France the return of these same 
blessings. 

"Had not the victorious Battle of the Marne been fought 
no one can say to what extent we could have succored or 
aided France, but because it was a victory, because it stopped, 
then turned back, the invading hordes, we today are able to 
take our part. 

"Let us not forget that debt of gratitude which we owe 
France nor falter in our deLermination to assure to her the 
return of her territory and the outlook of continuing and 
prosperous peace. 

"While the world has France, the world will have liberty." 
(Signed) Sims." (Applause). 

The next message is from Ambassador Sharp, our Ambassador 
to France, who was our guest at the celebration held in 1916: 

The incomparable courage and genius of the French 
Arm.y v/as never more splendid than during these momentous 
days. We have added new lustre to the immortal fame of the 
battlefields of the Marne. A ruthless foe has made his last 
advance, and, except the wanton destruction in his retreat, 
has burned and plundered his last village on French soil. 
From today all his steps, recently so accelerated by the helj; 
of the gallant British troops and our own brave Americaii 
boys, will be directed toward the Fatherland. The great 
• generals of the allied armies have so decreed, and their de- 
cision is inexorable." 

(Signed) Sharp." (Applause). 

The following m.essage was received from Sir David Beatty, 
Admiral of the British Grand Fleet, too late to be read; the an- 
nouncement that it was on the way was greated with applause : 

"Grand Fleet desires you to express its pride and satis- 
faction at being so closely associated with American Fleet 
whose officers and men are bound to us by ties of closest 
comradeship. They typify spirit in which American nation 
has rallied to the cause of right and justice. Our union is a 
happy augury for peace of world." 

(Signed) "Beatty." 

The Chairman : Among the spiritual and literary products of 
this war, nothing so far has been more striking than the number of 

25- 



Lafayette Day in New York — Principal Exercises 

very beautiful poems to which this struggle has given rise. The 
poets hav^e done their full duty in the Avar by services as well as with 
their pens, from the days of Rupert Brooke down to the latest loss 
v/hich literature has sustained in the death of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer, 
of the 165th United States Infantry. The Committee upon this occa- 
sion have been able to obtain for you a distinguished writer and 
loyal American, who has made the great sacrifice of his heart's 
blood for his country, — Mr. John Jay Chapman. (Applause). 

Mr. John J. Chapman. 

Again we gather here, 

Beneath the aegis of a sacred name, 

To hold our feast, and with our altar-flame 

Signal the passage of the furtive year. 

Alas, how small our gifts, how light appear 

Our vows, our songs, the words that we declaim ! 

While o'er the tortured nations from afar 

Rolls the hot breath of universal war. 

Yet must I speak : Again we dedicate 
Ourselves, our children and our country's fame 
To Her from whom our earliest welcome came. 

Once more — but now in arms — we kneel, 

Like Joan of Arc in shining steel 
A Sword to consecrate. 
To France, and to the Cause that makes her great ! 
And even while we hold our holiday, 
The Allied ranks in fierce array 
Press on the foe, like huntsmen on the prey. 
The Wild Boar of the North is brought to bay ! 

Hark, did you hear the triumph in the air? 
Horns and halloos — a universal shout. 
The hunters have him ; he has turned about ; 
The Teuton beast is lurching towards his laii 
The boar is sorely wounded ; but beware ! 
Strike, when you strike, to kill ! For in his eye 
Cunning and Hatred shine, a ghastly pair. 
Which of these passions is the last to clie. 
When both are linked together by despair? 

'Tis not alone the havoc ; but his breath 
Spreads desecration o'er mankind. 

26 



Poem by Mr. John J. Chaptnan 
Address by Col. Theodore Roosevelt 

Eev/are lest in his gasp of death 
The German leave behind 
A sting to hurt the heart of man 
Worse than his living fury can — 
The poison of his mind. (Applause). 

When shall the shepherd sup in peace once more, 

Or tend his trellis unafraid 

While children play about the farmhouse door, 

Or cows at even' watch the river 

Beneath the elm-tree's shade? 

Is heart's ease gone forever? 

Must there be newer anguish, endless strife? 

Ah, huntsman draw thy knife 

To kill the creature at the core ! 

Plunge thy bright tnmcheon and restore 

The bloom to human life. (/\pplause). 

The Chatrmak: On anv occasion which the speaker who is 
about to address you has honored by his presence, it has become of 
international importance. It is particularly fortU!:!ate for us all 
that the Committee has been able to secure his presence, and he has 
promised to speak at a time when conditions are such that construc- 
tive statesmanship and a clear prophetic vision of the future are 
necessary for the complete accomplishment of our aims. An ideal 
American, as he is in word and action, he has been able to com- 
municate those same sentiments to the m.embers of his family, and 
we deem him and his sons the picture of devotion and patriotic 
ardor that is offered, such as few families have had the opportunity 
of presenting at any time for the admiration of the world. I pre- 
sent to you, as the speaker of the day. Col. Theodore Roosevelt. 
(Applause). 

Address by Col. Theodore Roosevelt. 

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ambassador, guests from the Allied nations 
to whom we owe so much, and you, men and women of New York, 
mv fellow citizens : I felt a great privilege as well as a duty in 
accepting the invitation to speak here today, especially, Mr. Chair- 
man, when I knew that you were to be the Chairman. (Applause.) 

27 



Lafayette Day in New Y.ork — Principal Exercises 

For I wish to take this opportunity of saying that from the outset 
of the great war you have never faltered in your conviction as to 
where the right stood and as to the duty of this nation. (Applause.) 
I am about to say that after listening to your remarks I really might 
just as well tear up my speech and say ditto in just a word. 

Of course, Lafayette Day commemorates the services rendered 
to America in the Revolution by France. (Applause.) I wish to 
insist with all possible emphasis that in the present war France, 
England, Italy, all the Allies, have rendered us similar services. 
The French at the Battle of the Marne four years ago, and at Ver- 
dun, and the British at Ypres, in short the French, the English, the 
Italians, the Belgians, the Serbians — all the Allies were fighting our 
battles exactly as much as they were fighting their own. (Applause. ) 
Our army on the other side is now repaying in part our debt, and 
next year, we have every reason to hope, and we must insist that the 
fighting army in France from the United States shall surpas.s 
in numbers the fighting army in France of either France or 
Britain. I hope they may smash the Hun as hard. It is now 
time, and it has long been time, for America to bear her full share 
cf the common burden, the burden borne by all the Allies in the 
great fight for Liberty and for Justice. (Applause). 

We must win this war as speedily as possible. But we must set 
ourselves to fight it through no matter how long it takes (Ap- 
plause), with the resolute purpose and determination to accept no 
peace until, no matter at what cost, we win the peace of over- 
whelming victory. (Applause.) 

Let me make an interpolation. I every now and then meet one 
of those nice gentry in whom softness of heart has spread to the 
head, who say, "How can we guarantee that everybody will love 
one another at the end of the war?" The first step in guaranteeing 
it is to knock Germany out — that will guarantee it. (Applause). 
The peace that we win must guarantee full reparation as you have 
said, Mr. Chairman, for the awful cost of life and treasure which 
the Prussianized Germany of the Hohenzollerns has inflicted on the 
entire world ; and this reparation must take the form of action that 
will render it impossible for Germany to repeat her collossal wrong- 
doing. 

Germany has been able to wage this fight for world domination 

28 



Address by Col. Theodore Roosevelt 

because she has subdued to her purpose her vassal allies, Austria, 
Turkey and Bulgaria. Serbia and Roumania must have restored to 
them what Bulgaria has taken from them. (Applause.) The Aus- 
trian and Turkish Empires must both be broken up, all the subject 
peoples liberated and the Turk driven from Europe. (Applause). 
We do not intend that German or Magyar should be wronged by 
others or oppressed by others, but neither do we intend that they 
shall oppress and domineer over others. France, as you have said, 
Mr. Chairman, must receive back Alsace and Lorraine. (Great ap- 
plause.) We cannot go into any peace conference where everybody 
did not accept that before we entered it. Belgium must be restored 
and indemnified. (Applause.) Italian Austria must be restored to 
Italy, and Roumanian Hungary to Roumania. The heroic Czecho- 
slovaks must be made into an independent commonwealth, and the 
southern Slavs must be united in a great Jugo-Slav commonwealth. 
Poland as a genuinely independent commonwealth must receive back 
Austrian and Prussian Poland, as well as Russian Poland, and have 
her coast-line on the Baltic. Lithuania, Livonia and Finland and 
the Baltic Provinces must be guaranteed their freedom and inde- 
pendence, and when I speak of independence, I mean independence 
of Germany as well as of Russia, and no part of the ancient Empire 
of Russia must be left under the German yoke, or subject in any 
way to German influence, even the slightest. Northern Schlesv.-ig 
should go back to the Danes. Britain and Japan should keep the 
colonies they have conquered. Armenia must be free. Palestine 
made a Jewish state and the Syrian Christians liberated. 

It is sometim.es announced that part of the peace agreement must 
be a League of Nations which will avert all war for the future and 
put a stop to the need of this nation preparing its own strength 
for its own defense. Many of the adherents of this idea grandilo- 
quently assert that they intend to supplant nationalism by inter- 
nationalism. 

In deciding upon proposals of this nature it behooves our people 
to remember that competitive rhetoric is a poor substitute for the 
habit of resolutely looking facts in the face. Patriotism stands in 
national matters as love of family does in private life. (Applause). 
Nationalism corresponds to the love a man bears for his wife and 
children. Internationalism corresponds to the feeling he has for 

29 



Lafayette Day in New York — Principal Exercises 

his neighbors generally. The sound nationalist is the only type of 
really helpful internationalist (Applause), precisely as in private 
relations it is the man who is most devoted to his own wife and 
children who is apt in the long run to be the most satisfactory 
neighbor. (Applause). If 1 met a new neighbor and he told me 
he loved me as much as he did his own family, I'd watch him. 
(Laughter). To substitute internationalism for nationalism m.eans 
to do away with patriotism, and is as vicious and as profoundly 
demoralizing as to put promiscuous devotion to all other persons in 
the place of steadfast devotion to a man's own family. Either 
effort means the atrophy of robust morality. The men in this coun- 
try who have stood the staunchest for the performance of inter- 
national duty are the men who have most keenly felt nationalism 
and Americanism in their blood, in their veins. (Applause). The 
man who loves another nation as much as he loves his own, un- 
pleasantly resembles the over-affectionate individual who loves other 
women as much as his own wife. (Laughter.) The man who prac- 
tices either is just as worthless a creature as the other and the pro- 
fessional pacifist is as undesirable a citizen as the professional inter- 
nationalist. The American pacifist has in the actual fact shown 
himself to be the tool and ally of the German militarist. (Applause.) 
They were screeching for peace three years ago and telling us that 
we must not prepare, because preparation invited war, and they were 
playing the game of the alien militarist — were playing the game of 
the men who by force of arms intended to win dominion over all 
the peace-loving nations of mankind. (Applause). The profes- 
sional internationalist is a man who under a pretense of diffuse at- 
tachment for everybody hides the fact that in reality he is incapable 
of doing his duty by anybody. 

We Americans should abhor all wrongdoing to other nations. W^e 
ought always to act fairly and generously by other nations. We ought 
always to act fairly and generously by all other nations, and in inter- 
national matters I hold that we should have the same standard of 
morality that we have in private matter^. But we must remember 
that our first duty is to be loyal and patriotic citizens of our own 
iVation, of America. These two facts should always be in our minds 
in dealing with any propf^sal for a League of Nations. Ky all means 
let us be loyal to great ideals. But let us remember that unless we 

30 



Address by Col. Theodore Roosevelt 

show common sense in action, loyalty in speech will amoimt to con- 
siderably less than nothing. 

Test the proposed future League of Nations so far as concerns 
proposals to disarm and to trust to anything except our own 
strength for our own defense, by what the nations are actually do- 
ing at the present time. Any such League would have to depend 
for its success upon the adhesion of nine nations which are 
actually or potentially the most powerful military nations : and 
these nine nations include Germany, Austria, Turkey and Russia. 
The first three have recently and repeatedly violated, and are now 
actively and continuously violating not only every treaty but every 
rule of civilized warfare and of international good faith. 

Russia played a heroic part for the first three 3'ears of the war 
(during the fi.rst two and a half years her conduct was in shining 
contrast to ours). But during the last year Russia, under the domin- 
ion of the Bolshevists, has betrayed her iVllies, has become the tool of 
the German autocracy, and has shown such utter disregard of her 
national honor and plighted word and her international duties that 
she is novv' in external afifairs the passive tool and ally of her brutal 
conqueror, Germany. (Applause.) 

Germany stands among nations as a man-eating wild beast 
stands, and Russia as an infectious plague, ^^'hat earthly use is it 
to pretend that the safety of the world would be secured by a 
]-eague in which these four nations under the Hohenzollerns and the 
Hapsburgs, under the Sultan and the Bolshevists would be among 
the nine leading partners? Long years must pass before we can 
again trust any promises these four nations make. 

As regards tv/o of them I hope they won't be there to make any 
promise. I hope Germany will be in such a condition that we won't 
care whether it makes a promise or not. (Laughter). A^ny treaty 
of any kind or sort v>rhich we make wnth them should be made with 
the full understanding that they v/ill cynically repudiate it when- 
ever they think it is to their interest to do so. Therefore, unless our 
folly is such that it v/ill not depart from us until we are brayed in 
a mortar, let us remember that any such treaty will be worthless 
unless our own prepared strensrth renders it unsafe to break it. 

After this war the wrongdoers will be so punished and ex- 
hausted that they m.ay for a number of years Vvish to keep the peace. 

31 



Lafayette Day in Nezv York — Principal Exercises 

But the surest way to make them keep the peace in the future is to 
punish them heavily now. And don't forget that China is now use- 
less as a prop to a League of Peace simply because she lacks effec- 
tive military strength for her own defense. 

Again I wish to make an interpolation. If we had not gone into 
this war, when the war ended we would have been as helpless as 
jellytish before even the weakest of the combatant powers, and we 
would have lost our own self-respect and the respect of every other 
nation, great or small. That would have been the penalty we would 
have paid. Thank heavens we went in in time, quite near the elev- 
enth hour, but it was not the twelfth. (Applause). The one sure 
way to make these wrongdoers desirous of keeping the peace in the 
future is to punish them heavily now for having broken in. (Ap- 
plause.) 

Look across the Pacific ! China is not an aggressive power, she 
is disarmed, and she is not a valuable prop to a League of Nations. 
Xo nation can help another unless it can help itself. If France 
had been disarmed and helpless when Germany treated the treaties 
that protected Belgium as scraps of paper — if France had been dis- 
armed and helpless, if she would have listened to the teachings of 
the pacifists and internationalists, we in this Chamber now would 
hold this meeting only if men in spiked helmets permitted us to 
do so. Let us support any reasonable plan, whether in the form of 
a League of Nations or in any other shape, which bids fair to lessen 
the probable number of future wars and to limit their scope. But 
let us laugh out of court any assertion that any such plan will 
guarantee peace and safety to the foolish, weak or timid creatures 
who have not the will and the power to prepare for their own de- 
fense. Support any such plan which is honest and reasonable. But 
support it as an addition to. and never as a substitute for, the policy 
of preparing our own strength for our own defense. To follow 
any other course would turn this country into the China of the 
Occident. We cannot guarantee for ourselves or our children peace 
without efifort or safety without service and sacrifice. We must 
prepare both our souls and our bodies, in virile fashion, alike to 
secure justice for ourselves and to do justice to others. Only thus 
can we secure our own national self-respect. Only thus can we 

32 



Address by Col. Theodore Roosevelt 

secure the respect of other nations and the power to aid them when 
they seek to do well. 

In sum then I shall be delighted to support the movement for a 
League to enforce Peace, or for a League of Nations, if it is 
developed as a supplement to and not a substitute for the prepara- 
tion of our own strength, and the cultivation of the intense Ameri- 
canism which will make us able to use that strength for ourselves 
and for the well behaved peoples of. the world. (Applause.) And 
I hold it, the duty of self-defense is a duty that no man ought to 
be permitted to shirk. If a man is too conscientious to fight for the 
country, he is too conscientious to see any good in the country. 
(Applause.) Therefore, let us base the defense, the defense of this 
nation, not on a small professional class of men trained to fight while 
the rest of the people are taught to think of money getting as their 
only serious pursuit, and sentimentality as a form of indulgence to 
offset the material aid of the others ; let us introduce the principle of 
universal military training and universal service in this country (Ap- 
plause) — the principle as practised in Switzerland, modified of 
course both along the lines indicated in Australia, and in accordance 
with our own needs. Let us accept the theory that a democracy can 
only be justified if exactly as each man receives certain privileges, so 
he pays for them by the performance of certain essential and vital 
duties. Let us cultivate our moral sense, so that we shall abhor doing 
any international wrong, exactly as an honorable private man, no 
matter hoAV strong, abhors the thought of wronging another man in 
private life. But let us prepare our strength so that never again shall 
we have to sit by and see the rights of mankind jeopardized b^- brutal 
wrongdoers and saved by the valor of other nations to whose strength 
and to whose aid we only came after the loss in blood had been such 
as never before in the history of the world had ever been seen in anv 
war. (Applause.) 

There will be no taint of Prussian militarism in such a system. 
It will merely mean the acceptance by democracy of the principle 
that it must possess the ability to fight for self-defense so as to 
secure the continuance of liberty, of law and of order within its 
own limits, and so far as it can, to extend to other nations the 
rights that it has itself. 

We come here today to celebrate the Pjirthday of Lafayette. 

33 



Lafayette Day in New York — Principal Exercises 

He did not come here w ith an olive branch ; he came with a sv/ord. 
Vv''e come here today to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Battle 
of the Marne. A distinguished Bishop, an American Bishop, was 
quoted not \'ery many months ago — I trust wrongly — as saying that 
the way to avoid a war was not to fight. If four years ago at the 
Marne the soldiers of Joffre had acted on that principle, the whole 
v;orId would have been under Prussian thraldom at this moment. 
Let us set our faces toward justice; let us prize peace as the hand- 
maiden of justice; let us stand for right within our own borders; 
let us recognize our duty to make the world a little better place 
for all liberty-loving and well-behaving nations in the future ; and 
let us remember that today we must show ourselves to possess both 
strength and courage, and that is the strength which is effective, 
the courage which makes itself felt, which are evidenced by the cocl, 
far-sighted and resolute purpose of a free people to prepare in ad- 
vance its own strength for its own self-defense and for the cause 
of justice among the peoples of mankind. (Prolonged applause.) 

The Chairman : It was one of the fortunate episodes of the 
Revolutionary War that this struggling Republic was represented 
at the court of France by one who was not merely a lover of his 
kind, but a great literary genius and philosopher, and one as v/ell 
whose knowledge of human natiire, whose suavity of manner and 
force of character did so much for the early recognition of the 
rights of the Colonies and the grant of aid to them. It was said 
of Benjamin Franklin while representing America at the French 
Court that he was worth to the Colonies more than an army in the 
field. 

It has been the great good fortune of the French Republic to have 
been represented during these critical four years by one who was 
not merely a trained diplomat but a man of the highest literary gifts, 
which had led him to an appreciation, not only of the beauties of the 
writings of England but of the character of her people and rulers 
besides. The revelations of the past year have given us a clearer 
idea of the difficulties with whirh he struggled and which must have 
made his lot at times hard indeed, but he bore these plots and coun- 
terplots from the outset without a word of complaint. Courteous, 
dignified, suave, respectful, he has given us during these trying 
days, both before and after the entry of this nation into the war, the 

34 



speech of the French Ambassador 

greatest possible example of what skilled and honest diplomacy can 
do for the interests of a free people. 

I take pleasure in presenting the chief guest of the Lafay- 
ette Day National Committee, his Excellency, the French Ambassa- 
dor. (Applause). 



SPEECH OF THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR 

When more than a century and a half ago, that event took place 
which we are commemorating today, the name of Lafayette was 
only known in the world of letters, to the select few who had been 
able to enjoy a brief novel of 2CO pages, "La Princesse de Cleves," 
written by one who bore that name only through marriage. 

The name is now of world-wide renown, a magic name to con- 
jure by; at the sound of which only great and noble images come 
to the mind, the image of Washington, the souvenir of a people 
who wanted to be free, reached freedom and is th American Re- 
public of today, the remembrance of a long life devoted from the 
earliest to the last years to the cause of independence. 

That magic name has once m.ore brought us together, celebra- 
tions are held in a number of cities, the greatest in the land take 
part in them. President Wilson does so in Washington ; President 
Poincare of France has sent us a m.essage ; Justice Dowling ad- 
mired and respected by all, irrespective of party, presides over our 
meeting; he has just coupled my name with one so famous and so 
sacred that I blushed for my lack of deserts; and if you did not 
see the color, take it for granted that it was an inward blush, of 
deepest hue. A former President of the United States has come, 
the type of American forcefulness and generosity; a poet, a thinker, 
a writer has come too, wdio, like the former President has given to 
the world and to the good cause, besides his writings, a beloved son. 
Both belong of right to that association we have in France of the 
countless fathers and mothers w'ho have lost a son in the war, and 
who, on the fourth of July, sent here what is perhaps the most 
memorable of all testimonials that ever cam.e from France for your 
nation's birthday. They said: 

"The union of the fathers and irx.thers whose sons have fallen 

35 



Lafayette Day in Neiv Yprk — Principal Exercises 

for France, on this day, the anniversary of the birth of the free 
and noble American Nation, wishes to send, as the most touching 
tribute that exists, the homage of the gratitude of the dead who 
have fallen during the last four years for the v/orld's sake. 

"While on the graves where they await victory resound the 
footsteps of the 3^oung and proud American legions, our dead heroes 
are thrilled with hope and faith. They feel that, in common with 
their brothers in arms of all the Allied Nations, America's soldiers 
are as mvincible as the ideal for which they fight. And they sec 
before them, as clear and pure as this ideal, the glorious day of the 
triumph of independence and justice, dawning in the folds of the 
Star-Spangled Banner." (Applause). 

Since today's anniversary was celebrated last year, many events 
have taken place, the chief one being the ever-growing part played 
by this nation, with the firmest will to win, in the world conflict. 
Anything that is asked of it is granted at once : be it subscription to 
immense loans, the giving up of the accustomed food, or the accus- 
tomed auto ride on Sunday, the acceptance of new taxation (4 
billion dollars is the report), or the increase of the draft age, which 
will include boys of 18 and men of 45. And this increase has just 
come to pass owing to a unanimous vote of the two Houses. With 
their thousands of spies, and their million dollars for what the\' 
were pleased to call propaganda (which included murder), the Ger- 
mans had no idea that this could be. There was one spot opened 
to us all, but in which German spies could not pry, that was the 
American heart. 

One of the best French cartoons ]3nblished during the wnr ap- 
peared recently, the work of Abel Faivre. It represents the Kaiser 
staggered at the sight of an immense host arriving in the distance. 
Before him stands an armed angel whose open wings show stars in 
their upper part, while the long feathers below simulate stripes. 
Says the Kaiser : "But what is the fleet which can have carried over 
the seas this numberless army? The Angel answers: "The Tusi- 
tania." (Applause). 

A valiant army, if any, the praise of which is on every lip, :i 
youthful, good-natured, cheery army, whose every soldier is wel- 
come in the castle and in the hut, and is offered just as heartily the 
best cake or the last crust ; an immense army that ceaselessly grows ; 

36 



speech of the French Ambassador 

for month after month you send over to France double the number 
of men Napoleon had at Waterloo. Many French names written 
on the map recall our presence here at the time of your fight for in- 
dependence, chief among them that of Lafayette. Many x\merican 
names will, in after time, recall the splendid part you are taking in 
ihe deliverance of France and of the world. The name of Presi- 
dent Wilson is already written there, and one of our woods which 
used to be called Belleau Wood, will be known henceforth as the 
"Bois de la Brigade de Marine," having been freed by your marines 
in the Cattle of Chateau Thierry. (Applause). 

The enemy is doomed. The day is unknown ; the fact is certain. 
The enemy feels anxious; when he feels anxious, he raises his 
eyes to heaven, deplores the slaughter, complains of his being 
friendless and lonely, and wonders at the heartlessness of us who 
will not desist ; he babbles of peace. Falstaff, on his deathbed, was, 
as you know, "babbling of green fields." They think they can lure 
us. having lured others ; but they are mistaken, our peoples know 
h(3w to read; they can even read between the lines. (Applause.) 

Who could believe that it is really a German who talks thus : 
"The time must come when between peoples and peoples something 
like an impulse of confidence shall germinate; when oppressed hu- 
man nature shall revolt against false doctrines, threatening to suf- 
focate the innermost human affinities." 

Yes, it is a German who is piping thus, an exalted one, but an 
anxious one. It is Dr. Solf, their Minister of Colonies (a man of 
leisure he must be just now) ; thus was he speaking not more than 
a fortnight ago. He was so good as to add : "We do not intend to 
retain Belgiumi in any form whatever." But it is a fact that for 
what Germans intend or do not intend on that score, we do not 
care. Noble Belgium shall owe nothing to her unspeakable tyrants. 
( Applause.) 

In such cases, Germans rarely omit to refer to their grand offer 
V; the Entente Powers on Decembr 12, 1916, when they informed 
the world that "the four Allied Powers (that is themselves) pro- 
loosed to enter forthwith into peace negotiations." saying all the pos • 
sible good of the "propositions which they brought forward," What 
propositions? Giving the measure of their sincerity, they refused 
10 tell. When the President of the United States asked us and 

37 



Lafayette Day in New York — Principal Exercises 

them for positive statements, we gave ours (January lo, 1917), 
but the Germans simply referred to their previous indeterminate 
offer which they had, however, embellished thus in a note to the 
Pope: "Europe, which formerly was devoted to the propagation of 
religion and civilization, which was trying to find solutions for 
social problems and was the home of science and art and all peace- 
ful labor, now resembles an immense war camp in which the 
achievements of many decades are doomed to annihilation." 

This from the very men who destroyed Rheims and Louvain, 
for the pleasiu'e of it, and who, as Ambassador Morgenthau has 
shown beyond the possibility of a doubt, had determined upon war 
wrecks before the Austrian Crown Prince had been assassinated 
by an Austrian subject. That death came opportunely for them ; 
if it had not come, something else would have been found. The 
Serbs would have been told, just as we v/ere, that they had bom- 
barded Nurenberg; any fairy tale would have been good enough. 
But now the enemy babbles of green fields. 

We are, however, more diffident than ever, for we are no 
longer reduced to suppositions, probable as those were, concern- 
ing" the kind of terms they intended to propose. They have signed, 
in the course of the present year, a series of peace treaties so that 
any one can judge: treaties with Ukraine, Bolshevik Russia, Fin- 
land, Roumania (February 9, IMarch 3, ISIarch 7, May 6). 

The animus inspiring Germany while signing those deeds is 
thus described by "green fields" Dr. Solf : Germany was deter- 
mined "not to bar the way now open to oppressed peoples — the 
road to freedom, order and mutual tolerance." 

This is on a par with the Kaiser's own words : "The sword 
has been forced into our hands," after he had declared war on 
everybody. For the facts are there, indisputable, confessed by 
the Germans themselves : all those theaties are treaties not of 
freedom but of bondage ; and each was violated at once, "scraps 
of paper" that they are, so as to make them worse in practice. 

All the world now knows what is the "re-inforced protection" 
bestowed by the Germans on Ukraine and how the "road to free- 
dom" open to that country led her oppressors to the banks of the 
Black Sea. The country is over-run with German troops, the 

38 



speech of the Freneh Ambassador 

peasants have risen in arms against them, and Ukrainians now 
realize what is meant by a German peace. 

The treaty^of B rest-Lit vosk (March 3) took from Russia 
territories vaster than Germany and Austria put together, one- 
third of the total Russian population, one-half of the total mileage 
of railways, nine-tenths of the total coal production, three-fourths 
of the total iron. And worse perhaps than all the rest, the treat/ 
prescribes the "orderly return to Turkey" of Russian Armenia and 
neighbouring provinces: so that it be possible to continue, until 
none be left, the orderly slaughter of the Christians in Armenia. 

Esthonia and Livonia are handed by the same treaty to "a 
German police force until order in the state is restored," the Ger- 
mans, of course, being the judges thereof. 

Awaiting a German King, as the best promoter of freedom, 
Finland has been "liberated," which consisted in placing her under 
a German protectorate. By Article I of their treaty of March 7. 
the Finns undertake "not to grant a servitude to any foreign power 
■^vithout having first come to an understanding with Germany in 
the matter." What is a "servitude?" The Germans' it will be to 
say. 

And what can be thought of the treaty with Roumania, which 
gags a brave, highly civilized nation, tramples her under foot, sup- 
presses her army, transformed into a mere police force, takes from 
her the total of her sea coasts, introduces into each of her Min- 
istries a German adviser, gives to Austria her best forests, popula- 
tion included, to Germany her petroleum resources, imposes a mili- 
tary occupation which the Germans will be able to prolong at will ; 
places ports and railways in the hands of the Germans. In case of 
difficulties about petroleum, there will be arbitration : we think we 
can breathe; let us not: the umpire will be appointed by the Presi- 
dent of the Court of Leipzig. 

As usual, additional decrees or arrangements have aggravated 
conditions considered too lenient by the worshippers of Odin. One 
prescribes obligatory labor in the occupied territory, for all males 
from 14 to 60, under penalties including five years of prison and 
even death. 

Bessarabia was, by the same treaty, annexed to Roumania. 
Can we find in this a trace of generosity? not the slightest; it is 

39 



Lafayette Day in New York — Principal Exercises 

merely a way of submitting one more province to the "regime" of 
ihe Roumanian conditions. 

Were we right or were we not when we declined to lay down 
our arms, as the Russians did, before discussing the terms in store 
for them, and when we refused to walk into the trap laid out 
for us? If there had been any doubt, it would have been removed 
by a casual remark of the German delegates at Bukharest. When 
the Roumanians expressed their horror at the terms proposed to 
them, the Germans coolly answered (and that I do know) : "They 
are very moderate in comparison with what is in store for the 
.'\llies after the German victory. 

Very probably so if there w^as to be a German victory. We 
cannot forget that one of their papers, the "Rhinish and West- 
phalian Gazette" once gave us an inkling, unobjected to by their 
censor, of what they really contemplated. It fully agrees with the 
dictum of the delegates at Bukharest. in the present year. ''Our 
ultimate aim," that worthy sheet had said in November, 1916, "is 
to push through to the west and to the ocean. Whatever offer.s re- 
sistance is to be crushed. * * * What the victor gets, he 
holds. * * * Let us daily tell the French that every foot we 
conquer is ours. We need not waste words about Belgium. We 
need access to the Channel and we need Antwerp. Whoever wants 
Belgium may fetch it from it." 

The Germans follow their leader and what can we expect of 
siich a nation following such a leader? Few descriptions of him 
and of his deeds are better than this one, written by a man of his 
ov.'n race: 

"Superb in his attitudes, casting his glances right and left, 
the very movements of his body seem to reveal his pride of power. 
* * * He planned the conquest of the universe. * * * His power 
has risen in spite of all justice and his cruelty has had such a success 
as to inspire horror. * * * Where can we find the cause of this 
immense slaughter ? What hatreds can have incited so many nations 
to rush one against the other? That humanity could be but a tool in 
the hands of a king has been made evident when the mad folly of 
one man caused so many nations to be given over to carnage and the 
swelled fantasy of a monarch destroyed in an instant what it had 
cost nature so many centuries to produce." 

40 



speech of the French Ambassador 

Accurate as this portrait is, the Kaiser did not actually sit for 
the painter: it was written in the sixth century by Jornandes, the 
Goth, who had for his original Attila, King of the Huns. 

"I am God's scourge," Attila had said. "I am the instrument of 
the Almighty. I am his sword, his representative. Disaster and 
death to all those who resist my will," said his imitator and ^- 
mirer, the Kaiser, in a proclamation to his army in the East, in 
December, 1914. 

In the Catalaunian fields, the first battle of the Marne was 
fought, and Attila defeated, A. D. 451. Those fields are the plains 
near the Marne about Chalons, the Catalaunum of those days. 
The second battle of the Marne was won four years ago to-day by 
one whom you saw and triumphantly received last year, Marshall 
Jofifre : and it becomes more and more certain, as time passes, that 
it will be one of the great dates in the history of the world. The 
third battle of the Marne still goes on. It offers this unique char- 
acter that American troops have played in it a splendid part; 
the first battle in Europe in which they have been associated. 
Starting from the Marne, the fight continues. Pershing's men win 
the admiration of all. Our English friends are doing wonders, and 
all acting together, led by that stout-hearted soldier, Marshal Foch, 
we bid fair to proceed from one river to another, until we pay 
the enemy the compliment of echoing on the spot one of his 
favorite songs: "The Watch on the Rhine." (Laughter and ap- 
plause.) 

The peace offensive of the enemy will fail as well as his other 
offensives. He chose and appointed the day when should begin what 
he himself now rightly calls "the atrocities of w-ar" (i) ; we shall 
chose and appoint the day for peace. Our terms are known to the 
v/hole world ; they aim at the destruction not of Germany, but of 
Germanism, at the liberation not only of our Alsace-Lorraine, but 
of all the Alsaces-Lorraines in the world. And we simply acted in 
accordance with our principles. Vv'ith the principles of the hero of 
the day, Lafayette, the principles set forth in admirable language 
by President Wilson, when we and our allies recognized, only the 
other day, the independence of those splendid Tcheco-Slovaks 
whose anabasis through Siberia will have been one of the memor- 

41 



Lafayette Day in Nezv Y.ork — Principal Exercises 

able deeds of the war, the United States having joined us this very 
week in this work of honor. 

Hand in hand when the day comes, after years of suffering and 
hope, having perfected their great task with an equal courage and 
abnegation, the honest nations of the world will walk towards the 
temple of Justice; two of them will look like twin sisters, the Re- 
public of France and the Republic of America. (Prolonged 
applause.) 

The Chairman : In declaring this meeting closed, and thank- 
ing you for your attendance, I trust it may be the privilege of the 
chairman of the next year's gathering to tell you of a complete 
victory for the Allied cause. (Applause) 

At the conclusion of the exercises, the Star Spangled Banner 
was played. 



(1) German note to the Pcwtrs Dee. 12, l»t(5, 

42 



ON THE STEPS OF CITY HALL, NEW YORK 
AFTER THE EXERCISES. 

(Left to Right.) 

1st Row: Japanese Consul General, I'Vench Consul General. Frank A. 
Vanderlip, Honorary Chairman, French Ambas;;ador, Justice Victor J. Dovvl- 
ing, Chairman, Mine. Jusserand, Maurice Leon, Chairman Executive Com- 
mittee, Major Bastedo, Motor Corps of America, Geoffrey Butler, British 
Bureau of Information. 

2iTd Row : George T. Wilson, Vice-Chairman Reception Committee, 
i^bnel Wilcox, U. S. A., Capt. Yakura, Japanese Naval Attache, Capt. de 
Mandat-Grancey (a descendant of Lafayette and aide of Rear-Admirai 
Grout), Rear-Admiral Grout, in command of French Naval forces in the 
Atlantic, Capt. LeGall, chief of staff, General Vignal, French Military 
Attache, Asa Bird Gardiner, Mrs. Leon, Miss Luisita Leland, Chairman of 
Fatherless Children of France, Major Lankester of the British Army, 
William D. Guthrie, Chairman Reception Committee. 

3rd Row: Mrs. Frederick Nathan, Major Osterreith of the Belgian 
Army, Colonel Binda and General Guglielmotti of the Italian Army, Capt. 
Vannutelli, Italian Naval Attache, Brig. Gen. Kenyon, C. B., chief British 
Army representative, Sir Henry Babington Smith, acting British High Com- 
missioner. 

4th Row : Richard Aldricli, Charles Stewart Davison, Honorary Secre- 
tary of Citizens' Committee (third from left). 




43 




45 



LAFAYETTE DAY EXERCISES HELD AT THE 

STATUE OF LAFAYETTE, UNION SQUARE, 

NEW YORK CITY, SEPTEMBER 6th, 1918. 

At II :oo A. M., September 6th, 1918, exercises were held at the 
Statue of Lafayette in Union Square which had been appropriately- 
decorated for the occasion, as had also the Washington statue 
nearby. The marine band from the Battleship "Recruit", the 
Naval Recruiting Station built to resemble a battleship located in 
Union Square, a short distance from the Lafayette Statue, fol- 
lowed by a battalion of uniformed naval recruits from the "Re- 
cruit", as also a detachment of French blue-jackets and a detachment 
of U. S. soldiers from. Governor's Island marched to the Statue 
playing the Marseillaise and drew up in front of the platform 
erected to the west of the monument. 

Wreaths were placed upon the statue by numerous patriotic 
societies: Delegates from the Sons of the Revolution, Lafayette 
Post G. A. R., Society of the Cincinnati, Order of Founders and 
Patriots of America and the Y. M. C. A. were present on the plat- 
form representing these societies. A crowd of several thousand 
persons which had gathered around the platform and statue fol- 
lowed the exercises very closely and manifested its patriotic ap- 
preciation of the occasion by repeated applause of the sentiments 
expressed. 

The color guard of the Sons of the Revolution carried the flags 
which Major General Lafayette's command bore through its fight- 
ing in the last part of the i8th century. 

The chairman in charge of the exercises, Charles A. Downer, 
Esq., Professor of French in the college of the City of New York 
and President of the Alliance Francaise, introduced the speaker on 
that occasion, the Hon. Alton E. Parker. 

Address by Hon. Alton B. Parker. 

Mr. Chairman, and distinguished guests, soldiers and sailors, 
friends of Lafayette and of France : enthusiastic supporters of the 
Allies in their great struggle for world wide liberty: We are gath- 

47 



Lafayette Day in Nczv York — Union Square 

ered about this statue erected by the people of the City of New 
V'ork in honor of a distinguished son of France, who, in our strug- 
gle for liberty tendered to us his fortunes and his life — General 
Lafayette. 

We come on this i6ist Anniversary of his birth to pay our 
tribute of admiration and affection for his memory. 

In order to value the spirit which prompted him to cast in his 
fortunes with those who were struggling for the liberties of this 
people, it must be borne in mind that at that time France and Eng- 
land were at peace, and when the King of France learned that a 
young French nobleman was engaged in an effort to strengthen 
the Rebellion in America, he caused his arrest, to the end that 
those relations which were then friendly, existing between France 
and England, should not be broken. But Lafayette escaped, and 
by the aid of disguise reached a port in Spain where his own ship, 
which he had fitted out in order to come to the United States, 
]iicked him up and at last, after a long and tedious voyage, he 
found himself in Philadelphia, and the first thing that he did was 
to address Congress then assembled, a letter tendering his services 
to the Congress without compensation and at his own cost, and 
further expressing the desire that at first he should be permitted 
to serve as a volunteer. 

The outcome of it was that a little after the age of twenty, he 
was made a major-general, and assigned to the staff of Wash- 
ington, and between those two great men there grew up an aflFec- 
tion which endured while life lasted. 

It is not necessary on this occasion for us to gather together 
the history that shows the great service which he rendered the 
people of the United States. We need not take the time to marshal 
the facts. We need not refer to his bravery shown on many a 
Held, and yet it would seem to me that this occasion should not 
pass without referring to the fact that on the field of Brandywine 
he fought after he had been wounded, with the blood gushing 
from his wounds; but the reason why T take the liberty of saying 
to you today that it is no longer necessary for us to marshal the 
facts having to do with that wonderful service which he rendered 
to the people of the United States, because it was done while he 
lived by the Government of the United States, and by this people; 

48 



Address by Hon. Alton B. Parker 

before — quite a little time before Iiis life passed away, the Congress 
of the United States invited him to come to the United States to 
be the guest of the United States, He accepted the invitation. 
He w^as with us just a little more than a year. Two of his birthdays 
were spent here — his 67 and his 68th birthdays. 

From one end of the countr}' to the other he visited. The 
thirteen states which we had when he was here, had grown to be 
twenty-four. We had no railroad trains in those days to take him 
from one place to another, and so, either by watercourse or by 
the ordinary roads and coaches, he visited every single one of those 
twenty-four states, and wherever he went the people were out 
to acclaim him. Wherever he went there v/ere receptions and 
fetes, and such honors as were never before or since bestowed upon 
any man in this country by its people. Ah ! But not only did we 
have in that great reception by the people of the United States the 
judgment of the people while he was living, as to the importance 
of his services, but we had the judgment of Congress, for you have 
not forgotten that Congress appropriated $200,000 — "in part pay- 
ment" — those were the words used in the "Appropriation Bill" — in' 
part payment for General Lafayette's services to the people of the 
United States; and when he came to go away, leaving, as he did, 
the White House after a wonderful reception and a speech by the 
President on the front steps of the White House, he went away by 
direction of the President of the United States upon a war vessel — 
a new one, just completed and named "The Brandywine" after 
that battlefield upon which he was so severely wounded. 

Therefore I say, my fellow citizens, we need not stop to discuss 
the facts. We have the judgment of the people of the United 
States, a judgment rendered by the Congress and the President of 
the United States, and such a judgment and such a token of 
respect and esteem as was never given by the United States to anv 
other lone resident of the United States. 

A great poet has said : 

"There is a destiny that shapes our ends, rough 
hew them how we will." 

I prefer, as presenting more nearly the situation as I understanrl 
it now, another sentence, familiar to you all : 

"God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform. 

49 



Lafayette Day in Xczi' York — Union Square 

Was it not wonderful that 54 American citizens, leading citi- 
zens, men of ability, education and character, should have taken 
upon themselves the responsibility of signing the Declaration of 
Independence 

Was it not wonderful that in that Declaration of Independence 
should have been written this sentence: 

"We hold these truths to be self evident : That all men are 
created equal" — a sentence destined to ring around the world for 
years and years and years, and to focus the attention of the people 
of the world upon a country where that experiment was to be tried, 
where it was to be demonstrated that men are, in fact, "equal", 
"created equal" at the beginning. 

Was it not wonderful, too, that for the first time in the history 
of the world, a form of government was created, the like of which 
the world had never seen? It is no small matter of pride to 
us that this constitutional form of government was created by 
tliose whom we are proud to call the fatfiers of the country. We 
know now why they adopted the constitutional form of Govern- 
ment. These men were in large measure descendants of England, 
familiar with the struggle in England for liberty, and they wished 
to secure for all time to come the benefit for themselves and 
those who were to come after them, of those great principles of 
English liberty which were the result of a struggle which took five 
hundred years to win. Was it not wonderful, too. that this country, 
without any great army, without remarkably trained soldiers, need- 
ing a great leader, could have found him in the form of a farmer 
on the banks of the Potomac, ready to lead the people in their 
effort for Liberty? 

Was it not just as Lincoln was found in the Presidential Chair, 
and ready when the struggle in this country took place, whether 
this should be a LTnion of States, one and inseparable, and just as 
^Vilson was found in the Presidential Chair, and ready when the 
broader field was entered upon by the great nations of the world, 
which is to result finally in the settlement of this problem — not only 
are men free within their own country, but that nations hereafter 
sb.all be free (applause), little or big, to worship God according 
to the dictates of their own consciences, and to work out their own 
national problems without hindrance, without fear that any other 

50 



Address by Hon. Alton B. Parker 

and a larger nation shall attempt to take their property and liberties 
from them and make them prisoners? (Applause.) 

My fellow citizens, was it not wonderful, too — how much of it 
may be attributed to Lafayette I do not know — but we know that he 
went home to France when our situation here was a very trouble- 
some one, when it seemed doubtful if we could win — he went over 
to France to plead the cause of the men here who were struggling 
for the equal rights of man, and we know what followed: Ro- 
chambeau. General Rochambeau and five thousand troops came 
over to the United States with a part of the French Navy, large 
enough to keep the English Navy at bay, and then the French 
troops under Rochambeau and the American troops under Wash- 
ington with the navy standing off to protect them raised the Siege 
at Yorktown, which resulted finally in breaking the back bone of 
the war. 

Oh, my friends, we have not forgotten France, nor will we 
ever forget France (applause). 

It is with the greatest pleasure that we are now contributing 
our quota toward driving the barbarous Huns out of France and 
Belgium (applause) ; but what was the result of this effort? Why, 
all the people of the world when they saw we had gained our 
liberty, began to fasten their attention upon the fact that we had 
gained it, and so, they came from every quarter of the earth and 
from every nation speaking every language, they came here to 
build their homes where men could enjoy the great principles of 
liberty and feel that they were free to contribute their part towards 
the creation of the Government ; and we trusted them, so that 
when this war broke out, we had over one hundred and eighty- 
seven billions of wealth, more than Great Britain and Germany 
put together. We had over one hundred million of people ; but 
when this war broke out, you and I and some of us did not quite 
appreciate our responsibilities. There were people in this country 
who seemed to think that God had been doing this all for us — not 
at all. It is all a part of the Divine plan to build up this country, 
so that this country would be all able in this great struggle for 
human righteousness which is now upon us, to perform an im- 
portant part and play a controlling part. We ought to have seen 
it : I am sorry that we did not. We just wer^t quietly along, quite 

51 



Lafayette Day in New York — Union Square 

a good many of us did. We ought to have seen earlier, you and I. 
that England was struggling, not alone for herself, she was strug- 
gling for Belgium. They knew over there better than we knew 
here, the situation. Our only excuse is that we did not understand 
Germany, and the German people, as we understand them now. 
(Applause.) Now, we know them; but at last we had to be 
forced in. The Supreme Ruler of the Universe did not intend that 
the program which had been worked out from the beginning, to 
make us a rich and popular nation, and a powerful one, should pass 
by without our doing our part ; and so Germany kicked us at last 
into the war. But when we came in, under the leadership of our 
great President, we came at last to a full appreciation of our 
responsibilities and duties to God, to the Nations of the World, and 
to ourselves. That duty, as we all see it now, is to fight until the 
last anned force expires, to fight until the barbarous Hun has been 
driven out of Belgium, and France, and into Germany — fight on 
until they are all well satisfied they do not want any more (ap- 
plause). No matter what it costs you and me, it is going to be 
done, is it not? (Cries of "Yes.") 

All the people of the United States are behind the President, 
and with those glorious Allies of ours — England, France, Italy 
and Belgium. Oh, yes, we are fighting together for the peace of 
the world hereafter, and when it is all done, my friends — when 
it is all done — what then? What is there to happen which will 
make it worth while? 

Now, I want to predict for you what I think will happen. 
1 expect to see under the leadership of France and England, Italy. 
Belgium and the United States, a league of nations, formed 
strong enough to enforce the peace of the world hereafter (ap- 
plause) — a league of nations determined that never again shall 
any other monarch whether he be called Kaiser or by some 
other name — that never again shall any monarch, backed by a 
selfish people, be permitted to drag millions of good men to a 
soldier's grave, and strong enough to check at the outset any 
attempt made by any country for another preparation for a 
forty years' war. 

My friends, in conclusion, there was never a more brave 
and chivalrous knight than General Lafayette. He came to us. 

52 



Address by Hon. Alton B. Parker 

to the end, although he did not know it, that we should be pre- 
pared to contribute our qouta in this great contest for human 
rights. All he thought of then undoubtedly was that he was help- 
ing these men whom he could realize, whom he could see — he was 
helping them to gain their liberties; but whether he had a vision 
of the future or not, the fact is that he contributed his quota 
toward that great day when all the world shall be at peace, and 
the Allies shall have won the victory and the peace of the world 
is secured hereafter. So we do well to-day, aye, and we shall con- 
tinue it in the years to come to treasure the memory of the 
Marquis de Lafayette, and to occasionally meet as we do here, 
to pay our tribute to one who fought in this country for 
humanity's sake. (Great applause.) 

LAFAYETTE DAY BANQUET. 

In the evening the annual Lafayette Day Banquet was given at 
the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel by the France-America Society in honor 
of His Excellency the French Ambassador, at which the principal 
address was delivered by Hon. Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the 
Interior. 

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART. 

In connection with the celebration of Lafayette Day there 
was shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a small group 
of works of art associated with the name of General Lafayette. 
The exhibition was held in the recent accessions room near the 
main entrance and continued for two weeks. In the exhibition 
were portraits, engravings, miniatures, Staffordshire, printed 
plates, wedgewood plaques, medals, snuff-boxes and other small 
objects which show the widespread popular esteem in which 
Lafayette was held. 



S3 



CHILDREN'S FETE, THE MALL CENTRAL PARK. 

Under the auspices of the Women's National Committee of 
the American Defense Society, several thousand children took 
part in a fete on the Mail in Central Park. A number of settle- 
ments and children's societies formed into line and marched 
from 59th Street through the Mall to the band-stand, led by boy 
scouts dressed in French costumes and carrying American flags. 
The Pelham Bay band rendered the music for the afternoon. 

Dr. George F. Kunz, President of the American Scenic 
Historical Society who was in charge of the celebration delivered 
an address which opened a carefully arranged program intended 
to inspire patriotism and reverence for the flag in the budding 
minds of an attentive juvenile audience. 

While the ceremonies were in progress 18 aeroplanes soared 
above the Mall and the City in battle formation headed by Major 
East of the Mineola Field. They dropped cards reading "Lafay- 
ette Day, Greeting from the French and American Aviators." 
Captain Jacques Boyriven, of the French Aviation Mission soared 
over the battleships in the North River in the evening. 

The fete which was in charge of Mrs. William S. Skinner and 
Mrs. McAllister Smith, offered a program contributed to by 
Lieutenant Adrien de Pachmann of the French High Commission, 
who was the speaker of the occasion. Rose LaHarte, Miss Sally 
Hamlin, great granddaughter of Hannibal Hamlin, Vice-President 
with Lincoln, the Police Glee Club and Miss Edythe Gibson. The 
Marine Band played the national airs of both countries. 

Lieutenant de Pachmann in his address explained to the 
children the history of Lafayette and why all France joins 
America in honoring his name and memory today. 

Among the women patrons of the celebration were Miss 
Elizabeth Marbury, Mrs. John Marshall Gallagher, Mrs. George 
Evans, Mrs. Eugene J. Grant, Misses Virginia Furman, Frances 
Tilghman, Florence Guernsey, Teresa R. O'Donohue, H. V. 
Boswell, Mrs. F. E. Bradner, Mrs. John H. Griesel, Mrs. Laurent 
Oppenheim, Mrs. William J. Smyth, Mrs. William Sporborg, 
Mrs. M. McAllister Smith, Mrs. Caspar Whitney and Mrs. E. D. 
Moseley. 

54- 




u 
C32 



• '^ 'S 



r-" ^ 



^■t't 









o 



55 



Lafayette Day in Washington 

JOINT CELEBRATION 

by 

The National Society, Daughters of The American Revolution 
The Sons of The Revolution In The District of Columbia 

and 

The District of Columbia Society 
Sons of The Amei^ican Revolution 

of the 

One Hundred Sixty-First Anniversary of The Birth of 
MARQUIS De LAFAYETTE 

and 

The Fourth Anniversary of The Battle of the Marne 

Friday, September 6, 1918, at Five P. M. 

AT THE LAFAYETTE MONUMENT. 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

The joint celebration by the National Society of the Daugh- 
ters of the American Revolution, Sons of the Revolution in the 
District of Columbia, and the District of Columbia Society Sons 
of the American Revolution, of the 161 st anniversary of the birth 
of Marquis de Lafayette, and the fourth anniversary of the Battle 
of the Marne, took place at the Lafayette Monument, Washing- 
ton. D. C, on Friday afternoon, September 6, 1918. 

There were present the President of the U^nited States and 
Mrs. Wilson ; the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Josephus 
Daniels; the Count de Chambrun, representing the Ambassador 
of France; -\Ir. Louis F. Brownlow. President of the Board of 
Commissioners of t-he District of Columbia, and various repre- 
sentatives from the Embassies of the Allied powers, and other 
distinguished guests as follows : 

57 



Lafayette Day iti Washington 

Commander de Blanpre, Xaval Attache of the French Embassy ; 
Honorable Thomas B. Hoehler, Charge d'AtTaires. British Embassy ; 
i\I. K. Debuchi, Secretary Japanese Embassy; Sr. and Mme. 
BeHsaris Parras, Panamanian Embassy ; Sr. Don. Ignacio 
Calderon, BoHvian Embassy; General and Mrs. J. D. Cormack, 
British War Mission ; ^I. O. Guerlac of the French High Commis- 
sion, and several members of the Belgian Embassy. 

Invocation. 

The Reverend Charles T. Warner, Rector of Saint Alban's 
Church, Washington. D. C. 

Presentation of the Colors. 

To the air of '"Stars and Stripes Forever"' by the Marine 
Band. 



Presiding officer, Air. Louis Annin Ames : 

We will have the reading of The American's Creed by the 
author, William Tyler Page of ^Maryland. 



Air. William Tyler Page: 

'T believe in the United States of America as a govern- 
ment of the people, by the people, and for the people ; whose 
just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a 
democracy in a republic ; a sovereign nation of many- 
sovereign States ; a perfect Union, one and inseparable, 
established upon those principles of freedom, equality, jus- 
tice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their 
lives and fortunes. 

*T therefore believe it is mv duty to my country to love 
it, to support its Constitution, to obev its laws, to respect its 
flag and to defend it against all enemies." (Applause). 



"The Star Spangled Baimer", by The Alarine Band. 



The Presiding Officer, Louis Annin Ames, Esquire, of New York 
Citv, President General, National Scvcietv. Sons of the American 
Revolution. 

58 



Address by Hon. Josephus Daniels 

Mr. President, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : 
The women and men who have arranged this celebration are 
proud that they are the descendants of men, who with Wash- 
mgton and Lafayette achieved American independence. While 
they feel that upon them rests a sacred and a holy duty to pre- 
serve the ideals for which their revolutionary forefathers fought, 
they recognize that it is not ancestry nor birth, but it is onl}' 
service to the common good that counts for Americanism. The 
milestones that mark humanity's progress are the natal days of 
heroic souls. We have gathered ' here to celebrate the anni- 
versary of the birth of the great Lafayette — our friend, champion 
soldier in the war for American Independence, prophet of demo- 
cracy, who saw a land of brotherhood where liberty, the fond 
hope of every honest soul would flourish. He was an apostle of 
the Golden Rule among the nations and he caught a glimpse of 
the federation of the world. 

Lafayette, we pause today with loving hearts, full of grati- 
tude to remember thy birthday. This pause is to us a moment 
of inspiration to carry on the great work at hand for human 
freedom. (Applause.) 

The World Turned Upside Down", was then played by The 
Marine Band. (Played at Yorktown, 1781.) 

The Presiding Officer: 

I would announce that through the courtesy of Count de 
Chambrun, the committee has made a change in the program so 
that our honored Secretary of the Navy may leave the city at 
5:45 to present a stand of colors to the 13th Regiment of 
Marines at Quantico, Va., this evening. I have the honor of 
presenting the next speaker, the Honorable Josephus Daniels, 
Secretary of the Navy. (Applause.) 



Address by Hon. Josephus Daniels. 

Every notable period furnishers its prophet. Contrary to 
the accepted opinion, prophets are not dreamers. They are 
doers. They prophecy and help to fulfill that which they forc- 

59 



Lafayette Day in Washington 

tell. For more than a century, upon each recurring September 
6th, when the birthday of Lafayette has been celebrated, gifted 
speakers have presented him as the superb soldier, the chivalric 
knight, the chevalier of "the gentleman among nations," the 
devoted friend, the courageous champion of the rights of man, 
and the foe of every form of tyranny and absolutism. 

Today, as we stand at the base of this noble monument, 
erected in a country whose love shines brighter than its grati- 
tude, let us think of him rather as the man of prophecy and 
faith. He was the seer who saw where others were blind, the 
believer in a generation which lacked vision. There were other 
men as courageous, many who gave their lives in battle. Then, 
as now, courage was the commonest as well as the noblest 
virtue of our humanity. France was not wanting in men of 
ideals, in men who dreamed of liberty, and in men who hoped 
and prayed that the Americans would win their independence. 
Lafayette, with the audacity of faith found only in youths of 
adventure, saw in the young Republic the hope of humanity. 
It was as real to him before he set out on La Victoria to become 
the associate and friend of Washington as when his prayers 
were answered as the French fleet appeared in the offing at 
Yorktown and won a notable naval victory, the significance ot 
which was long not appreciated. Looking back upon the 
Revolution, in which he bore so conspicuous a part, Lafayette 
wrote: "This was the last struggle of liberty. Its defeat would 
have left it without a refuge and without a hope." 

Lafayette the Prophet! Let that be our theme today. In 
i>'2f;. with the natural desire of the old to revisit the scenes of 
their youthful struggles, he made a visit to America which will 
ever be memorable. No citizen of our own country ever re- 
ceived so loving a welcome. His journeys were triumphal pro- 
cessions. The ardor of revolutionary days was rekindled. In the 
capital of the Republic he was received with every honor and 
distinction. At a dinner in his honor, attended by President 
^vlonroe, Mr. Gaillard, the presiding officer of the Senate ; Henry 
Clay, Speaker of the House, and other eminent men, in respond- 
ing to a toast which gave him title as "the great apostle of ra- 
tional liberty" Lafayette counselled against any division of the 

60 



Address by Hon. Josephus Daniels 

Union and accompanied it with a prophecy which is this day 
being fulfilled before the very eyes of more than a million and 
a half Americans in France, who, with brave men of other free 
nations, are making real his prediction. The toast he affered 
was 

"Perpetual union among the United States ; it has saved us 
in our times of danger ; it will save the world." 

That prophecy did not pass without comment, for Niles' 
Register in remarking upon the occasion said it was "one ot 
the proudest days in the annals of the country," and with the 
prescience which enables the writer to see the year 1918, added, 
"a day which will be told with high satisfaction to our remote 
posterity." As we stand beneath the figure of Prophet Lafay- 
ette the echoes of that gathering come down to us. The union of 
the United States has secured the independence of our country 
and made it the beacon light of liberty. Lafayette, with an 
insight into the struggle of this decade, with the assurance of 
the prophets of old, stood up in that assembly and declared, 
"It will save the world." 

Glorious vision of the man to whom the secrets of all ages 
were revealed ! Was it given to him to see the 6th of September, 
1914, v/hen Liberty in this generation was in the death struggle 
in Europe when the life of his own great Republic across the 
seas hung in the balance? Do noble natures of separated cen- 
turies have cmmunion? It has been said that it was an accident 
of fate that made the first victory of the Marne fall on the 
birthday of Lafayette. Should we not say it was a glorious 
coincidence? Or, better still, that Marshal Jofifre's victory was 
a providential and fitting celebration of the hundred and fifty 
seventh birthday of Gilbert du Notier de Lafayette? We come 
now to another victory of the Marne thankful for the genius of 
Foch, who wears worthily the mantle of Lafayette. And again, 
i)n Lafayette's birthday, victorious encounters by the allied 
armies in France bring us nearer to the success at arms which 
will mean to the whole world what Yorktown meant to the 
\Vestern Hemisphere. There never was a darker day in the 
American Revolution than when at Georgetown, S. C, January 
13, 1777, Lafayette landed to ofifer his sword in the unequal 
struggle. In his memories he says when he arrived in America 

61 



Lafayette Day in Washington 

he vowed to win or die here in the cause of Liberty. All his 
dreams of what he would find in the new world were realized, 
and to his wife, whom he called "Dear Heart," he writes, "iVll 
citizens are brothers," "the richest and the poorest are on the 
same social level," and he described the American women as 
"beautiful, unafirected in manner, and of a charming neatness." 
Of Congress he asked only two favors, "the one to serve without 
p:iv at my own expense, the other that I be allowed to serve at 
first as a volunteer." His offer was accepted, he was commis- 
sioned as a major general at the age of twenty — an age which 
some people think too young for men to be entrusted with 
military command. Lafayette was only eighteen when a junior 
officer in the French Musketeers, dining with his commanders of 
the garrison at Metz, he heard the Duke of Gloucester, a brother 
but not a friend of King George HI, tell the story of the fight 
for freedom in America. As he listened, the heart of the 
eighteen year old boy spanned the Atlantic and he "enlisted" 
with all the enthusiasm and the faith of the knights who went 
in quest of the Holy Grail. Every member of his family except 
his seventeen year old wife regarded his determination to aid 
America as a mad adventure. Let us pay tribute to the wisdom 
of youth and never again bow down to the accepted superior 
judgment of age ! Lafayette is the type of eternal youth. 
With years come prudence and caution and conventions which 
aid knowledge, but youth has the courage of its ideals, the 
audacity of its faith, and the readiness to risk all, even life 
itself, for Liberty. All great wars have been fought by what 
older people call "mere boys." In the war between the States 
the vast majority of those who followed Grant and Lee were 
youths, hundreds of thousands under 21 years of age, many 
of them under 18. There never were finer soldiers in all history. 
It was the dash and daring of youth that swept all before it in 
that mighty struggle, and it is the same spirit which today 
animates our armies fighting their way across the battle- 
scarred fields of France and which, with our allies, will eventually 
drive the last invader from the soil of Lafayette's beloved 
country. (Applause.) 

62 



Address by Hon. Josephus Daniels 

Lafayette knew that the heart of France was with America 
during the disheartening days that followed Valley Forge just 
as all France knows the heart of America warmed toward France 
from the moment of its invasion. All the while he worked for an 
understanding between America and France. He was rewarded 
when the French fleet under DeGrasse and the French Army 
under Rochambeau, (who with Portail and d'Estaing are 
honored as the four minor figures grouped below or around the 
central figure of Marquis de Lafayette in the statue before us) 
gave Washington the preponderance that compelled the sur- 
render of Cornwallis. In the year of alternate hope and fear 
Lafayette and Rochambeau urged upon France the opportunity 
and duty of helping the colonists. Rochambeau wrote : "Nothing 
without naval supremacy!" He sent his son to France to ask 
for more ships and Washington sent Henry Lawrence, saying: 
"This is our last chance, our country is exhausted, our force is 
nearly spent, the cause nearly lost. If France delays a timely 
and powerful aid in this critical posture of our affairs, it will 
avail us nothing should she attempt it hereafter." 

In May, 1781, Rochambeau received a message saying: "It 
is impossible to send you troops, but a new fleet is being sent. 
Washington's army, passing Philadelphia on their march to 
the South, were entertained by La Luzerne, the French minister. 
Abbe Robin, chaplain of the French troops, wrote: "We. were 
scarcely seated when a courier was introduced. An anxious 
silence reigns among the guests ; all eyes are fixed on the Cheva- 
lier de La Luzerne ; people try to guess what the news can be." 
He relieves their suspense and thrills them when he says : 
"Thirty-six ships of the line, under the command of Count de 
Grasse, are in Chesapeake Bay, and three thousand men have 
been landed and established communication with the Marquis de 
Lafayette." He fought the British fleets and so damaged them 
that they put back to New York. Washington wrote to De 
Grasse: "The honor of the surrender of York belongs to your 
Excellency." To Congress he said, "I wish it was in my power 
to express to Congress how much I feel myself indebted to 
the Count de Grasse and the officers of the fleet under his 
command." Congress passed a resolution expressing to De 

63 



Lafayette Day in IVashingion 

Grasse "The thanks of the United States for his display of skill 
and bravery in attacking and defeating the British fleet ofT the 
Bay of Chesapeake." The French navy and the French soldiers- 
saved the day. 

When America entered the war, at the hour M^hen the need 
of the Allies was sorest, history repeats itself. In the first days 
we said, as France said to Rochambeau : "It is impossible to send 
you troops at once, but our fleet is being sent." Naval vessels 
were despatched at once to join the allied fleet and take part 
in the war against the submarine menace. It was a return of 
the visit of the French fleet that came into the Chesapeake in 
1783. The Army, now numbering in France 1,600,000, have been 
safely conveyed across the Atlantic, and with the men under 
arms from all the allied nations, will fulfill the prophecy of 
Lafayette and "save the world." It will add to the million and 
a half already engaged as many more million as may be needed, 
for all America has highly resolved that the brave men of this 
country and all the allied nations shall not have died in vain. 
And as the brave Americans embark, every one of them will 
recall that the independence we won in the Revolution was 
largely due to Lafayette and his patriotic countrymen. 

When Pershing reached France with the first American 
troops, he m.ade a pious pilgrimage to the Piopus cemetery in 
Paris, placed a wreath on the grave of Lafayette and simply said : 
"Lafayette, nous voila {we are here)." And as the millions more 
will reach the shores of France, they will not pause from their 
grim determination to say much. The advances made steel our 
courage and confirm our faith. Deeds alone count. All that is 
necessary will be to invoke a double portion of the spirit of the 
Knightly Marquis and say : "Lafayette, we are here!" (Applause) 



Singing of National and Patriotic Airs by the Audience. 

The floral tribute by the distinguished guests, the participat- 
ing societies, and the audience, to the music "Partant pour la 
Syrie" by the Marine Band. This consisted of the laying of 
wreaths, garlands and flowers upon the monument as a tribute 
to the memory of Marquis de Lafayette. The wreaths presented 
consisted of the following: 

64 



Address by Count Charles de Chambrun 

President Wood row Wilson. 

French Embassy, represented by Count de Chambrnn. 

The Daughters of the American Revolution. 

The Sons of the American Revolution. 

The Sons of the Revolution. 

Belgian Legation. 



Reading of the poem "The Name of France" by Henry 
Van Dyke, by Mr. Barry Bulkley of the Sons of the Revolution 
in the District of Columbia Society. 



Mr. William M. Lewis read messages received by the Lafayette 
Day National Committee from the President of France and from 
Marshal Joffre, the text of which is found in the report of the 
principal exercises held at the City Hall, New York (p. 27,). 



"The Marseillaise" was then sung, led by Lieutenant Labat, 
French Military Mission. 
Presiding" Officer: 

Our last speaker is the great-great grandson of Marquis de 
Lafayette — Count de Chambrun, Counselor of the French Em- 
bassy. 

Address by Count Charles De Chambrun. 

On this anniversary, particularly dear to my heart, I feel 
deeply the honor of being called upon to speak, in the name of 
the Ambassador of France, before this assembly graced by the 
presence of the President of the United States, whose name, 
blessed by all my fellow countrymen, is to-day as popular 
among them as Lafayette's with you. I am greatly honored 
also to address the distinquished representatives of the patriotic 
societies whose mission it is to preserve the sacred memories of 
the American Revolution. 

. 65 



Lafayette Day in ll'ashington 

No one over more ardently cherished that revolution of in- 
dependence and liberty, whose purity of motives remains un- 
surpassed; no one ever served it with greater fervor; no one 
has worshipped it with more heartfelt piety, than he whose birth 
\ou are celebrating to-day. 

Others may say what he did on the fields of battle at the age 
of twenty years. What I wish to tell you, speaking at the foot 
of this monument, is not that which his sword brought over to 
.Vmerica, but, rather, that which his heart brought back to 
France. For it is not only the generous spontaneity with which 
he came to you, that causes you to bless his memory ; it is 
also the unfaltering fidelity with which, throughout the vicissi- 
ludes of a long career and in the midst of most troublous times, 
iie never ceased to belong to you. He remained all his life the 
aide-de-camp of General Washington, whom he loved, as you 
know, with the tenderness of a friend and the respect of a son. 
Xll his life he was the zealous missionary of the cause of which 
■liat great man was the inspired patriarch. He had first set 
foot on your shores filled with all the enthusiasm of youth, eager 
for adventure, seeking fame ; you sent him back to us with a soul 
truly republican, having exchanged his courtly manners for 
democratic simplicity — American in ideal and in conduct. 

This ideal, which was yours alone at that time, and whose 
lofty course more than a century of prosperity has not retarded, 
he proposed to "his country. Through his example, America 
i>ecame popular at the Court of Louis XVI. And later on. when 
the people of France, swayed by the spirit of the century and 
.seized in their turn with the fever of Liberty, wished to build 
upon new foundations their political institutions and their social 
code, he had only one thought — to induce the French revolution 
to adopt the principles proclaimed by the revolution of America, 
and to start his own country along the road of this free and 
democratic gvernment, of which your United States were then 
Hist beginning the great and conclusive experience. 

Read the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, which 
is the charter of our public rights, and of which Lafayette was 
the principal author, you will see there more than one re- 

66 



Address by Count Charles de Chambrun 

semblance to the Declaration of Rights of Virginia. Is it aston- 
ishing that we should be fighting for the same principles? 

On the morrow of the fall of the Bastile, Lafayette presented 
France with her new colors. These were, by a providential 
coincidence, which he was the first to perceive and to rejoice 
over, the three colors of your glorious flag. They hae* been, in 
your country, the symbol of national independence; with us, the 
emblem of political liberty. To-day, illumined by the sun of 
victory and acclaimed by two peoples whom they inspire with 
mutual love, they float together over the battlefields where are 
being decided the independence and liberty of all nations. 

To this ideal, to these principles, to this flag, he was invariably 
faithful. He was the enemy of absolutism from whatever source, 
whether it issued from the court, from the omnipotence of an 
assembly or from a mob. At the Tuileries, as at the Town Hall 
of Paris, at the sessions of the Constituante, or in the presence 
of popular uprisings, and even in the dungeons of Prussia and 
Austria, where he was confined for five years (for the despots 
of Central Europe have never had any tenderness for those wh(! 
cherish liberty) everywhere and always, in good fortune as in 
bad, you find him as you have known him, as you have loved 
him, as you have made him. 

Such fidelity to the cause of Liberty and to America was 
bound to receive its reward. America was generous of it. When, 
in 1824, he came to pay you a visit and to say farewell, Wash- 
ington and his companions in arms were no longer there to 
welcome him ; but he saw rise from the new generation, like a 
beneficent harvest, that immense gratitude which was the pride 
of his old aj^e and one of the joys of France. 

It was reserved to our generation, however, to witness more 
than he could have foreseen, more than would have surpassed 
his most ambitious dream : The United States sending millions 
of men to fight, on the soil of France, this war of all wars. and. 
help humanity to win its suit. 

The honorable Secretary of the Navy has most eloquently 
recalled the historical words of noble General John Pershing 
when he was led to the family cemetery where the friend of 
America reposes. No Frenchman will ever forget them. But 

67 



Lafayette Day in Washington 

allow me to tell 3'ou something more. At the time of the first 
Battle of the Marne — four years ago to the day — the enemy 
penetrated to the very hedge of Lafayette's property, Lagrange. 
At the second Battle of the Marne, they did not succeed in ad- 
vancing so far; your own soldiers were there protecting the 
approach. 

Among those heroes of Chateau Thierry and of Fismes, among 
those who combat on our fields, among those who soar in our 
skies, may there be found many who have the soul of Lafayette ; 
1 mean to say, who understand and love the land of France as 
he understood and loved America. That is the wish that I 
express at the end of this touching celebration. Never have two 
countries been more intimately united than ours. If there is no 
written pact between us, there is a great act ; there is a great 
fact. Your men are living at our firesides, and defending them. 
Your dead repose in our meadows, under the shadow of those 
thousands — those hundreds of thousands — of little white crosses, 
which will signify to future generations the meaning of their 
native land, and the price of Liberty. May the people of France 
and the people of America forever live, according to the words of 
Washington, "as brothers should do, in harmonious friend- 
ship !" May we, like our victorious soldiers, forever remain 
united, through life and unto death, a la vie et a la mort! 



Benediction. 

The Reverend Doctor Charles Wood, Pastor of the Church 
of the Covenant, Washington, D. C. 



March "Lorraine," by The Marine Band. 



68 



Lafayette Day in Boston 



COMMITTEE FOR BOSTON CELEBRATION 

Honorary Chairman 
The Honorable ANDREW J. PETERS, Mayor 

Honorary Vice-Ckairmen 

Major HENRY LEE HIGGINSON 

Hon. HENRY CABOT LODGE 

Mr. MOORFIELD STOREY 



Frank W. Remick 
John R. Maoomber 
Daniel M. Prendergast 
Daniel G. Win? 
Alfred L. Aiken 
Thomas P. Beal 
Charles E. Rogerson 
Lindsay Swift 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Addison L. Winship, Chairman 

Max E. Wyzanski 
Robert S. Weeks 
Hon. Nelson P. Brown 
Hon. Charles A. DeCourcy 
Louis J. A. Mercier 
Prof. Louis Allard 
J. C. J. Flamand 
William H. Farnsworth 
Frederick H. Prince 



Louis E. Crosscup 
George Pierre Erhard 
Frank S. Deland 
Thomas W. Murray 
Georges Longy 
Hon. Edmund Billings 
Pvev. Dr. Geo. A. Gordon 
George Hale Nutting 



Charles J. Martell 
Thomas B. Gannett 
W. F. Fitzgerald 



COMMITTEE ON ARRANGEMENTS 

N. Penrose Hallowell G. H. Nutting 



Franklin W. Ganse 
C Howard Walker 
F. E. Mann 



L. E. Crosscup 
Bertram G. Waters 



COMMITTEE ON INVITATIONS AND MUSIC 

Robert S. Weeks B. Wendell, Jr. Hon. Michael J. Sullivan 

* William E. Chamberlain 



John K. Allen 



COMMITTEE ON PUBLICITY 

Herbert M. Altken 
Ernest S. Butler 



John Cutler 



IN CHARGE OF USHERS 
Franklin E. Bancroft 



69 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

BOSTON CELEBRATION OF 
LAFAYETTE DAY 

and of the 

BATTLE OF THE MARNE 



Fcineuil Hall, Boston, 
Friday, September 6, 1918. 

(Concert by Commonwealth Pier Band of U. S. Navy from 

7:30 to 8.) 

Introductory Remarks by His Honor, Mayor Andrew J. Peters. 

Your Excellency, Fellow Citizens : It is indeed a privilege 
to meet here to-night in this historic hall, dedicated as it is in 
the hearts of all American citizens to the cause of Freedom, to 
pay our obeisance here to the name of Lafayette. (Applause.) 

Lafajette belongs to two countries and has more than one 
title to distinction. For us he lives as one of the founders of 
the American republic. It is not too much to say that without 
the aid of this boy under twenty the independence of the 
colonies might not have been achieved. He brought us not 
only inspiration but substantial assistance. His ship laden with 
supplies fitted out at his own expense ; his skill as a commander : 
his loyalty to Washington amid temptation and intrigue ; his 
influence in securing recognition and support from France; and 
finally his insistence upon unity of command — so that Pershing. 
offering his army tu Foch at the hour of peril, is only following 
the chivalrous example of Rochambeau, who subordinated him- 
self to Washington — those services of the young Frenchman 
were decisive for our cause and, in their sum, were hardly sur- 
passed by those of any native patriot. 

We rejoice that Americans stood side by side with the 
French at Chateau-Thierry and helped to turn the tide that is 
never coming back. We mourn proudly a Chapman, a Lufbery, 
a Prince, and many others who. like Lafayette, violated a nominal 
neutrality to die for those principles about which none of us 
were ever really neutral. We are planning now to send to 



Address by Hon. John. J. Bates 

France, not one youth of nineteen, but all that may be needed 
until France and the world are made free. (Applause.) 

As Mayor of this city, I am glad to welcome you here, proud 
to welcome you here, and it is my privilege to-night to introduce 
the presiding officer of this meeting. We have with us a 
gentlemen whose heart and soul and effort has been given with- 
out stint to the people of this Commonwealth, who has always 
responded to the opportunity of public service, and who to-night 
is doing us the honor of assisting in this celebration. I am 
]. leased to introduce ex-Governor Bates to you. (Applause.) 

Remarks by Honorable John J. Bates. 

Your Honor, Fellow Citizens : I thank the Mayor for his 
gracious introduction, and I esteem it a privilege and an honor 
to take a part, even though it be a small part, in the proceedings 
o[ this evening. 

This morning on an early train, I left the salt and invigorat- 
ing atmosphere of Cape Ann and came up on the train, and I 
noticed that there were several empty cars. As we reached 
the City of Lynn and looked down from that elevated structure 
out of the car window, I noticed that the great Central Square 
of that city, where ordinarily the tides of business sweep fast 
and constantly, seemed to be stifled, almost, with a mass of 
humanity that had collected in the Square. There was a band 
there, and the platforms of the station were crowded with men 
and women. And I saw the dress-suit cases, the bags and the 
bundles, and I looked at the men, and I knew it was the recruits 
wending their way to camp. And I saw the exultant but tearful 
faces of the women as they were bidding them good-bye — the 
mother with her hair streaked with gray and her face beginning 
to be wrinkled, giving her blessing to the boy and striving to 
stifle her feelings ; I saw the sisters parting from the loved 
brothers, and I noticed the sweethearts occasionally giving a 
farewell kiss to the ones so dear to them. And then T noticed one 
or two men handing back the baby to the wife, and the little 
child cooing in happiness, little realizing the solemnity of the 
occasion for the parents, or what it all meant. And I thought, 

71 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

these boys are going to Boston, and then they are going to Camp 
Devens, and then they are going over to the beautiful land of 
the tricolor, and there they are going to keep on going, fighting 
their way through, until, if necessary, they shall reach Berlin 
(applause), and there they are going to perform or help to per- 
form the greatest surgical operation that was ever performed on 
humanity (applause) — and humanity is going to be free from 
that great cancer of tyranny and autocracy that has so long kept 
it in subjection. 

And I thought that I did not wonder that occasionally a 
tear would stream down the faces of the women-folks, but I was 
glad to notice that the men looked exultant, determined, willing, 
glad to go. And every window in all the buildings that surround 
that Square seemed filled with a mass of faces. Down below 
they were upturned to get a last view of the cars as the boys 
looked out from the windows of the train. And then all of a 
sudden the train started and the crowd that had been so silent 
began to cheer, and the boys in the train cheered back, and then 
suddenly the band lifted up its instruments and began to burst 
forth in loud, pealing notes of the National Anthem, and every 
hat down in the Square came off and every woman seemed to 
stand at attention. And something that I never noticed before 
happened. In the crowded car, and through that crowded train, 
as if but one person, every one rose to their feet, and as the 
train moved on they all stood uncovered as long as they could 
hear any of the strains of the "Star Spangled Banner." 

It was a scene long to be remembered, and yet a common 
scene nowadays.^ You have all witnessed it. And as I looked 
at it I said, "This is what is taking place at a thousand, and ten 
thousand stations throughout these great United States this 
morning; it has taken place before." And I thought of General 
Pershing, the forerunner, with his staff of American troops, 
standing only a few months ago with only a few Americans 
around him and saying, as he stood with uncovered head at the 
tomb of the great Lafayete, "Lafayette, here we are !" (Applause) 
Then there were 5,000 Americans in France; to-night there are 
1,600,000 Americans in France helping to rid her soil of the 
tyrant. Indeed, Pershing was right. 

72 



Address by Hon. John. J. Bates 

Lafayette, here we are; America with all her manhood is on 
the way— America, a thousand times larger and a thousand times 
more pOAverful than in the old days when you fought for her, is 
coming over to bring all her strength and all her might, to the 
end that the principles for which you helped her to fight way 
back in 1777 shall not be defeated but shall prevail over the 
principles which have so long kept humanity in chains. (Ap- 
plause.) 

And then it came to me that this was Lafayette Day, the 
anniversary of his birth, and hov/ he, a young man nineteen years 
of age, had left a wife and a little child and taken a vessel that 
he had to buy himself — because the American nation was too 
poor to furnish him with transportation — a vessel that he called 
"Victory" — significant of this day as well as of the days of the 
revolution — how he had taken that, gone aboard with other 
f'rench officers, paid all the expenses and started for the New 
W^orld, to the end that he might give the glorious cause of 
America all the assistance within his power. And he Vv^rote from 
the cabin of the Victory to that wife that he had left behind, 
"I want you, for my sake, to become a good American, for the 
welfare of all the world is bound up in the welfare of America." 
And at that time it was the darkest hour of the American Re- 
volution. He tells us that there were but three thousand men 
in the American Army at that time — about 1/15 as many as you 
keep most of the time out here at Camp Devens — only three 
thousand men in all the American Army. And yet he, with an 
invincible courage, was ready to come and offer all to help that 
little army as against the hosts and the great power of England. 
And so he wrote to his wife, with full significance of the meaning 
of the struggle, a significance that had not dawned upon the 
kings as they sat upon their thrones, or upon the statesmen of 
Europe — "the welfare of all the world is bound up in the wel- 
fare of America." 

So we do well through the City of Boston, — this great magnifi- 
cent City. — to pause and to come together in this old Cradle of 
Liberty and consider some of our debt to that man and to the na- 
tion that he represented. We are here tonight, then, to show our 
respect for our brothers of the tricolor across the sea, and for the 

73 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

example and the progressive leadership of France as a republic 
among the nations of Europe for many, many years. We are here 
to show something of the gratitude that we, in common with all 
the peoples of civilization, feel to that nation for standing at the 
Thermopylae of the Marne and holding back the hordes of barbar- 
ism that threaten every civilized land. And we are here to show 
our respect for the great spirit of the leader of the revolutionary 
times who bound by his example and by his sacrifice our two na- 
tions so close together, — the man who through his unselfish life 
exhibited the ancient christian principle that it is more blessed to 
give than to receive, the man who showed the world that he had 
rather live in poverty under liberty than in luxury under tyranny, 
the man who showed the v/orld that he had rather champion the 
cause of the downpressed than that of the mighty oppressor, the 
man who showed the world that he would rather help bring liberty 
to mankind than to dedicate his life to any other object (Ap- 
I'lause.) 

Oh, if Lafayette were here tonight, and if Mrs. Lafayette were 
here — for you know that after he went back to France he gave U]) 
all his titles save that of General ; he would have nothing to do with 
them — so if General Lafayette and Mrs. Lafayette were only here 
tonight, I can imagine the General saying to her, — "Wife, wasn't 
] right It was a long, long time ago. wife, — you and I were young 
then, I was only nineteen, you had a little child, and yet I left you 
and went away across the seas and exposed myself and my life 
in order that I might champion a principle, and that principle was 
the principle of liberty for the people and of the right to self- 
government, and I wrote you, wife, that I did that because I be- 
lieved that the cause of America was bound up in the cause of the 
world. And, wife, was it not so? That was over 140 years ago, 
wife, and in that day there were no peoples governing themselves ; 
America was beginning to try and was setting the exam])le. To- 
night, wife, look : All over this world that has changed so much 
since we were here, — all over you notice that among 45 independent 
sovereignties that 27 of them are now republics, only t8 of them 
are monarchies, and in those 18 the monarchs have lost their power 
to the people in every instance but three. There has been a great 
change, wife. Did it pay? T helped bring alK>ut this change in 

74 



Address by Hon. lohn. J . Bates 

the government of the world ; I heiped bring liberty to all the peo- 
l^les of the world. 

"And, wife, do 3'ou remember that when I came back from 
America I hung up in my library a framed copy of the Constitu- 
tion of the United States, and I left a blank space on the wall be- 
side, and yon asked me what I left the blank space there for and 1 
said I left it to hang there a copy of the constitution of France' 
And, do you know, wife, in a few years France had a constitu- 
tion, — she copied America's, — a constitution that said how far the 
rulers should go and no further, and that the liberties of the peo- 
ple shall be protected. Why, wife, when America adopted her 
constitution there was not a constitutional government in the world. 
No people had the protection of a written constitution. But now, 
wife, 140 years have gone since the days I went to America, and 
now throughout the world there is not a nation but what has 
adopted the American idea of a constitution to protect the people's 
liberties. To be sure, wife, there are a few exceptional nations 
that did not adopt the right kind of a constitution ; they were not 
quite complete, and they were designed to only satisfy the people 
p.nd to save revolution ; but the other nations have got constitu- 
tions that protect them, and these that have not will soon have 
them, because that is the trend of the times. And wife, you re- 
member in those days, way back when I went to America, that after 
T came back T went to our king and I demanded that the staff gen- 
erals should be called together. Do you remember that in those 
days there was not a representative parliament in the world? The 
British parliament was not representative. Ten thousand people in 
England elected all the members of the House of Commons ; it was 
not a representative parliament. And there was none in the world. 
Do you know, wife, that in France we had had one way back, but 
no king had allowed it to come together for 171 years ; and when T 
came back from America I said, "King, in the name of the people 
I demand that you call together the staff generals" ; and he said, 
as the result of my importunity, that he would do it. And in 178Q. 
after a vacation or recess of 173 years, the king called together that 
representative body of the French people. And now we have it 
here. There was no representative body anywhere else in the 
world. Tonight there is not a nation, be it in Europe or in .A.sia, 

75 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

but what has a representative parliament to make the laws for the 
people in order to protect their liberties. 

-'"And, wife, do you remember one other thing, too? Do you 
remember in those days kings were absolute tyrants and that no 
one could gainsay them? And, wife, America set the example 
when I was over there fighting with the idea that rulers should 
be elected by the people and that in the course of a limited time 
they should be returned to the people and the people should have 
the right to change them, and there should be no hereditary mon- 
archs ruling by so-called divine right but that the r'ght must come 
from the people. Wife, today, with the exception of three coun- 
t'-ies there is no nation but what has either a president or an execu- 
tive corresponding to a president elected for a limited term, re- 
sponsible to the people; or, if they still retain the semblance of a 
monarchy, the monarch is svibject practically to the pov/ers of the 
ministry, and it is the ministry who are responsible to the people, 
and when things do not go to satisfy them the ministry has a 
change. And, wife, the only three nations that have not come to 
this new order of things in the world and adopted these ideas of 
constitutional, representative government, and the responsibility of 
the ministry, are the nations of Gennany and of Austria and of 
Turkey, who have a form of a constitution that is not one that 
protects the people, and who have a ministry that is responsible to 
the king only and not to the people. But, wife, see, — these na- 
tions are gasping for breath ; the allies, who represent the great 
principles that America started, are moving on, and there is com- 
ing a dov;nfall of those who represent the other form of govern- 
ment. (Appbuse.) 

*'I said 141 years ago that the welfare of the world was boan<l 
lip in the welfare of America. T prophecied truly, wife. And now 
I prophecy that autocracy is dying but democracy lives. I prophecy 
that the tyrant is dead. Liberty wins." (Great applause). 

We shall now have a most pleasant changfe in listeninsf to one 
of the sweetest singers in Boston — Miss Elsie Thiede. The audi- 
ence is requested to join in singing the chorus. 



(Singing of Star Spangled Banner by Miss Elsie Thiede, the 
audience joining in the chorus V 

76 



Address by Mr. Charles A. DeCourcy. 

Ex-Gov. Bates : Massachusetts has ever had reason to think 
highly of her judicial officers. Her Supreme Court ranks equal 
to that of any in the land — ^and this is not the verdict merely of 
her citizens but of the bench and bar from every State in the 
Union. And among the members of the Supreme Bench, there is 
none who has acquitted himself with greater credit to the Com- 
monwealth, who has more of the respect of the bench and the bar, 
or who has more of the love of all who know him than the one 
who is next to address you. A son of Massachusetts — Mr. Justice 
Charles A. DeCourcy of the Supreme Court of this State. (Ap- 
plause). 



Address by Mr. Charles A. DeCourcy. 

Ladies and gentlemen: An evening in August, 1776, very soon 
after our Declaration of Independence, the commandant of the 
military garrison at Metz, France, was giving a dinner in honor of 
the Duke of Gloucester, a brother of King George III. The Duke 
had been banished by reason of an unapproved marriage into 
which he had entered, and at this dinner of a select company was 
rather free in criticizing his brother's conduct in prosecuting the 
war against the American colonists. 

Among the guests was a youth scarcely nineteen years of age, 
an officer of the musketeers, who became intensely interested in 
what the Duke said in reference to the conflict and the time and 
purposes of the colonists. And he asked the Duke many questions, 
evincing a tremendous interest and wanting to know more about 
the subject. Many years afterwards this young man told our 
historian Sparks, the biographer of Washington, explaining what 
occurred that might — let us quote his own words : 

"The cause seemed to him just and noble from the rep- 
resentations of the Duke himself; and before he left the 
table the thought came into his head that he would go to 
America and ofifer his services to a people who were strug- 
gling for freedom and independence. From that hour he 
could think of nothing but this enterprise, and he resolved 
to go to Paris to make further inquiries." 

77 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

This youth was Gilbert du IMotier, Marquis de Lafayette, (Ap- 
plause), born i6i years ago today of one of the noblest families 
of all the ancient French nobility. His fahter had been killed at 
the head of his band of grenadiers but two months before his 
birth. At thirteen he lost his mother, leaving him with no near 
relative in the world, and with a large fortune. At sixteen he mar- 
ried the .daughter of Due d'Ayen, the head of the old family of 
de Noailles — one of the greatest families of France. The ofiFer 
was made to him, only to be rejected, that he take the position to 
which his family associations entitled him of the leading courtier 
at the pnlace of the king. He preferred to go to the military school 
of Versailles, where the sons of the nobility were trained for mili- 
tary service, and to enter upon the profession of arms, in which 
tlie members of his family had been eminent from the days long 
back, dating to the Crusades, 

If we seek the influence which moved this scion of nobility to 
espouse the cause of a strange people seeking self-government, I 
think we shall find it in a letter which he wrote to his wife — the 
letter to which Governor Bates has just referred — written during 
that long and tiresome voyage in La Victoire on the way to 
America. And to his wife, speaking in the intimacy of his heart, 
he said : 

■'As the defender of that liberty which I adore, free 
myself beyond all others, coming as a friend to offer my 
services to this most interesting republic, I bring with me 
nothing but my own free heart and my own goodwill, no 
ambition to fulfil and no selfish interest to serve ; if I am 
striving for my own glor^', I am at the same time laboring 
for its welfare. * * * The happiness of America is in- 
timately connected with the happiness of all mankind; she 
is destined to become the safe and venerable asylum of 
virtue, of honesty, of tolerance, of equality and of peaceful 
liberty." ( Applause ) . 

Lafayette meant to act, and he set out at once and put into 
practical operation his decision to help the struggling colonists. 
At that time France and England, you know, were at peace, and 
it was only by the secret connivance of the court that Deane and 
Franklin and Lee later were able to get the aid that they did get 

78 



Address by Mr. Charles A. DeCourcy. 

Irom the French people, and to buy the necessary supplies for our 
army in the markets of France. At this time, with the connivance 
of the government, it was intended to fit out a vessel and send it 
with supplies for the benefit of the Continental army. But about 
that time came one of those frequent news reports from here tell- 
ing of defeat and disaster. Washington had suffered at Long 
Island, White Plains and Fort Washington. It did not seem a 
proper and wise time for the King of France to espouse the cause 
of the United States. And Lafayette soon became known to the 
keen ambassador of England at Paris, Lord Stormond — as being 
actively interested in planning some aid for this country, and at 
once very pertinent objections were lodged with the French court 
against any aid from the French people, and especially from the 
Marquis de Lafayette. And the King felt compelled to send word 
to Lafayette that he must resist any temptation to help the colo- 
nists, he must refrain from giving the aid that he contemplated 
and must return to his studies at Versailles. And that opposition 
was seconded by the equally strong opposition of his father-in-law. 

But opposition only made the purpose of Lafayette the stronger. 
Finding that the government was not going to supply the need or 
fit out the contemplated vessel, from his own funds he purchased 
the vessel known as La Victorie and sent her to Bourdeaux to be 
])repared and fitted out for the trip to America. Through Frank- 
lin he met Major De Kalb, or Baron De Kalb, who had been here 
and who was an experienced soldier in the French army. Fie in- 
terested many other of the young nobility of France with military 
ambition and experience and prepared to sail from Bourdeaux 
when word came that the king peremptorily ordered him to imme- 
diately report for duty at Versailles and desist from further effort. 
Lafayette realized then that his plan was likely to be defeated. 
He suspended the work then being done in fitting out his vessel, 
and with her sailed from the harbor of Bourdeaux and went to the 
coast of Spain, putting in at the harbor of Ix>s Pasajes, nearby 
the French border, and then he came back in answer to the order 
of the king and reported in person. And then again he used all his 
efforts and all his influence to obtain from the king consent to pro- 
ceed with his efforts ; but in vain. 

And then this youth of nineteen, imbued with the love of lib- 

79 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

erty and determined to aid a liberty-seeking people, set at defiance 
the orders of his monarch, cast aside the hope of preferment in the 
great court of the king, went in disguise, escaped the messengers 
of the king, reached the Spanish port and then went aboard La 
Victoire with De Kalb and some other ofiicers and sailed for 
America on the 20th day of April, 1777. As you know, he landed 
on the coast of South Carolina. 

He undertook then to make his way to Philadelphia, where the 
Continental Congress v/as in session. Starting out in great state 
with a carriage, he found some difficulty in finally ending his 900- 
mile journey even on horseback, and arrived in a sore-distressed con- 
cHtion at Philadelphia and sent in word to the Congress of his 
arrival. His reception was anything but cordial. Congress had 
grown rather impatient with the class of men that our Commis- 
sioner Deane had been sending over with promises of commissions, 
with promises of large salaries — men who were taken up by Con- 
gress and tested, only to be found wanting. But Lafayette, with 
the patience that comes to men of his size, sent into Congress this 
manly protest: 

"After the sacrifices I have m.ade I have a right to exact 
two favors ; one is to serve at my own expense — the other 
is to serve at first as a volunteer." 

Then, with such a manly letter before them, Congress felt called 
upon to examine into the credentials and learn what this young 
man was. what sacrifices he had been making, what promises he 
brought with him; and it was but a short time afterwards when 
he was voted a commission as Major General in the Colonial 
Army, although at that time not given any particular troops under 
his command. Within a few days later he met Washington at 
Philadelphia, and immediately the spark of friendship was kindled, 
which became more and more intimate between those two men 
and which proved such a tremendous advantage and solace to 
them both while both of them remained on earth. 

Time will not permit tonight to dwell upon the next two years' 
activities of Lafayette in the army. We know he fought valiantly 
at Brandywine, and suflFered a rather severe wound in the leg which 
confined him in the hospital for a few weeks; that he fought, too, 

80 



Address by Mr. Charles A. DeCourcy. 

with distinction at Gloucester, Barren Hill, Monmouth, and else- 
where. 

In December of that year — 1777 — he was appointed to the com- 
mand of the Virginia Division of the Continental Army. In the 
winter of lyyy-iy'/S he shared with Washington the privations 
and hardships of Valley Forge. He was placed in charge of that 
impracticable contemplated expedition to Canada that grew out 
of the Conway Cabal. During the disagreements that arose with 
the ill-starred Comte D'Estaigne's expedition, especially in con- 
nection with the siege of Newport, his intervention was invaluable 
in keeping alive good feelings between the Americans and their 
allies. And then late in the fall of 1778, disinclined to spend the 
long, dreary winter in camp inactive, he asked leave to go back to 
France to see his wife and child, to whom he had not had a chance 
to bid farewell when he came, and to get that assistance which onlv 
he could obtain in France, because, as we shall see, in the spring of 
1778 the treaty of alliance had been formed between France and 
America, and no longer was France a neutral in our war. 

In passing this furlough, Congress passed a resolution which 
tells in its own way the appreciation held by our people of what 
those two years by Lafayette meant to the American cause. And 
here are the resolutions: 

"Resolved, That the marquis de la Fayette, major gen- 
eral in the service of the United States, have leave to go to 
France ; and that he return at such time as shall be most 
convenient to him. 

"Resolved, That the president write a letter to the mar- 
quis de la Fayette, returning him the thanks of Congress 
for that disinterested zeal which led him to America, and 
for the services he hath rendered to the United States by 
the exertion of his courage and abilities on many signal 
occasions. 

"Resolved, That the minister plenipotentiary of the 
United States of America of the court of Versailles be di- 
rected to cause an elegant sword, with proper devices to be 
made and presented, in the name of the United States, to 
the marquis de la Fayette." 

That ends the first period of our hero's services in America. La- 
fayette sailed from this port of Boston on the nth of January, 

81 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

1779. You will remember the treaty of alliance had been carried 
through between France and America the April before. 

And now Lafayette spent a year in his own land, in 1779, doing 
such invaluable service to the colonies as no other living man could 
have done. This was due to his friendship with his king, the offi- 
cers of the ministry, the strong love and affection home towards 
him by the entire French people. They wxre troubled days not 
only here but in France, and it required the unremitting efforts of 
Franklin and of Lafayette to obtain from time to time from France 
the needed funds for carrying on operations here. It was during 
that year that he took up with the Minister of Foreign Affairs — 
Comte de Vergennes — a plan for a second expedition to America, 
and in every way aided in whatever could be done to help the en- 
feebled cause of the colonists. And when he came back to America 
in the spring of 1780 he came bringing tiding to Washington that 
ships and troops were promised him and soon would be on their 
way to our shores. And, indeed, in the July following there came 
Comte de Rochambeau with a fleet of seven ships of the line and 
two frigates, convoying transports with more than 5,000 soldiers. 
Unfortunately, the second expedition which was promised, and 
which was really needed to make the first one effective for any 
operations here, could not be sent by reason of the then condition 
in France, and even the fleet sent over with Rochambeau was 
penned up in Narragansett Bay by the new fleet that come over 
from England. 

Now we go to 1780, after he came back. I think it is not too 
much to say that that year, from the summer of 1780 to the sum- 
mer of 1781, was the darkest time of the many dark days of our 
revolution. Sir Henry Clinton was in New York with 12,000 well- 
equipped troops, many of them Germans, making it impossible for 
the colonials of the Northern and Southern States to cooperate 
with their forces; and against him Washington, with his 3,000 
discouraged patriots, hung on the heights of the Hudson River. 
Tn the Southern States Cornwallis was at the head of superior 
forces. Lord Roydon was holding Charleston; the traitor Arnold 
was ravishing Virginia; Gates had been routed at Camden, and 
Dc Kalb had been killed. And against this overwhelming loss, 
I-afdyette and Green and Morgan fought the fight with fearful 

82 



Address by Mr. Charles A. DeCourcy. 

odds. How hopeless the condition of the colonists was at that 
time cannot be better expressed than in the words of the great 
Washington in a letter which he wrote in April of 1781 to Col. 
John Laurens, whom he had sent over to France for additional 
aid. He wrote: 

"If France delays a timely and powerful aid in the crit- 
ical posture of our affairs, it will avail us nothing should 
she attempt it hereafter. We are at this hour suspended 
in the balance ; not from choice, but from hard and absolute 
necessity; and you may rely on it as a fact, that we cannot 
transport the provisions from the States in which they are 
assessed to the army, because we cannot pay the teamsters, 
who will no longer work for certificates. It is ecjually cer- 
tain that our troops are approaching fast to nakedness, and 
that we have nothing to clothe them with ; that our hospitals 
are without medicines and our sick without nutriment ex- 
cept such as well men eat; and that our public works are 
at a stand, and the artificers disbanding. But why need I 
run into detail, when it may be declared in a word, that we 
are at the end of our tether, and that now or never our de- 
liverance must come." 

And on June 16 that same year, Rochambeau wrote to the 
Comte rie Grasse, who had charge of the French fleet then in the 
West Indies, as follows : 

"General Washington has about a handful of men — this 
country has been driven to bay, and all its resources are 
given out at last. The Continental money has been annihi- 
lated." 

And he urged with all the force he had upon the Admiral to come 
up from the West Indies with his fleet, to bring with him such 
land forces as he could gather in order that the country might be 
saved. 

What answer did France make to this demand? France, which 
at that time had a treasury almost in a bankrupt condition herself, 
in response to the urgent request of Col. Laurens, advanced 
6,000,000 livres tournois, in addition to 8,000,000 which were bor- 
rowed by us, but only on the guarantee of the French government. 
Comte de Grasse left the West Indies on the 5th of August, bring- 
ing with him a fleet of twenty-eight ships, bringing with him all 

83 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

the land forces he could borrow from the Islands, and after he 
had pledged his own personal responsibility for the necessary- 
money to pay the expenses. When he was off the coast of Vir- 
ginia he met the English fleet of about equal size — twenty ships 
and seven frigates. The Admiral's men used to say of de Grasse : 
"Our Admiral is six feet tall on ordinary days, and six feet six 
on battle days." And so the English found. In a fight on Septem- 
ber 5th he sunk the Terrible of seventy-four guns, he sunk the 
40-gun frigates Iris and Richmond, he compelled the British fleet 
to retreat to New York, and then he blocked Cornwallis from 
escape by sea from the position where he had entrenched himself 
at Yorktown and Gloucester. (Applause). 

In the meantime, Washington, wnth the instincts of a military 
genius, knowing that de Grasse was coming to Yorktown, got word 
to Rochambeau in Rhode Island to bring his 7,000 men overland 
and meet him at King's Bridge, New York. There they went 
through the pretence of preparing for an attack on Clinton, in 
New York, and they so completely deceived him that he did not 
know until they were well on their way overland to Virginia what 
their plan was, and it was then too late for him to go to the aid 
of Cornwallis. The artillery for seige purposes, which had been 
brought over from France by Rochambeau, was brought around 
by water in time for the siege. In the meantime, Lafayette, acting 
under the orders of Washington, had so posted his troops that the 
British army was held fast on the land side. And this, by-the-way, 
was the last movement of his as an independent commander in 
America. And then under the lead of Washington, ably seconded 
by the veteran of sieges, Rochambeau, aided by the brilliant French- 
man, none the less brave than LaFayette himself, began that seige 
of Yorktown which culminated on the 19th of October, 1781, in 
the surrender of Cornwallis with 8,000 men, 800 sailors, 214 guns 
and 22 flags. (Applause). 

After the fall of Yorktown, of which I will speak more in a 
moment, Lafayette again obtained leave to spend the winter in 
France. And that leave was granted again by resolutions of Con- 
gress in these w^ords : 

"Resolved, That Major General the marquis de la Fa}'-- 
ette have permission to go to France; and that he return at 
such time as shall be most convenient to him : 

84 



Address by Mr. Charles A. DeCourcy. 

"That he be informed, that on a review of his conduct 
throughout the past campaign, and particularly during the 
period in which he had the chief command in Virginia, the 
many new proofs which present themselves of his zealous 
attachment to the cause he has espoused, and of his judg- 
ment, vigilance, gallantry and address in its defence, have 
greatly added to the high opinion entertained by Congress 
of his merits and military talents : 

"Ordered. That the superintendent of finance furnish 
the marquis de la Fayette with a proper conveyance to 
France." 

And there came from the French Minister of War on the 5th 
day of December, 1781, a letter which in part is as follows: 

"The King having been informed, sir, of the military 
skill of which you have given repeated proof in the com- 
mand of the various army corps intrusted to you in Amer- 
ica, of the wisdom and prudence which have marked the 
services that you have performed in the interest of the 
United States, and of the confidence which you have won 
from General Washington, his Majesty has charged me to 
announce to you that the commendations which you most 
fully deserve have attracted his notice, and that your con- 
duct and your success have given him, sir, the most favor- 
able opinion of you, such as you might wish him to have, 
and upon which you may rely for his future good will. His 
Majesty, in order to give you a particular and flattering 
mark of favor, promises you the rank of Marechal de Camp 
in his armies, to be enjoyed by you after the war in America 
shall be ended, at such time as you shall leave the service 
of the United States to return to that of His Majesty. 

"By virtue of this decision, you will be considered as 
Marechal de Camp from the date of the surrender of Gen- 
eral Cornwallis after the siege of Yorktown, on the 19th 
of October of the present year, in view of the fact that you 
then held that rank in the army of the United States ot 
America." 

That ended Lafayette's military services. He sailed from the 
port of Boston on the 23rd day of December, 1781, a General, 
24 years of age. This is not the occasion to dwell upon the stir- 
ring and romantic life of Lafayette after he returned to his own 
land — his efforts during the French Revolution, and indeed later 
in the uprising of 1830, his refusal to bend the knee to Napoleon 

85 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

when he sought autocratic control, his sufferings in the dungeons 
of Prussia and Austria, and his position as a trusted leader of the 
French people up to the very day of his death in 1834. But we 
may spend a moment in recalling the fact that he came back to 
us — first in October of 1784, when at the invitation of Washington 
he came back to visit — and it was during that visit, by-the-way, 
that the third anniversary of the fall of Yorktown was celebrated 
in this historic hall, with General Lafayette the guest of honor, 
and the officials of the city and the State doing honor to him. 
(Applause). 

He came again, as you know, when he was along in years — 
some 65 or 66 years of age — in 1824 — At that time, in response to 
a request of President Monroe, issued upon the orders of Con- 
gress. Then he spent a year among us, Vv'hich was one continued 
ovation given by the American people in recognition of his invalu- 
able services during the Revolution. And there again we are re- 
minded that it was during that visit that he was present and actu- 
ally laid the cornerstone at Bunker Hill Monument on the 17th of 
June, 1825, and Daniel Webster, the orator of that occasion, took 
occasion to address him in these words : 

"Fortunate, fortunate man ! with what measure of de- 
votion will you not thank God for the circumstances of 
your extraordinary life ! You are connected with both 
hemispheres and with two generatons. Heaven saw fit to 
ordain, that the electric spark of liberty should be conducted, 
through you, from the New World to the Old, and we, who 
are now here to perform this duty of patriotism, have all 
of us long ago received it in charge from our fathers to 
cherish your name and your virtues." (Applause). 

What further need of eulogy? The best eulogy we can give 
for that aid he rendered us in the Revolution is this plain story of 
his life among us, and the best evidence of our grateful affection 
is the fact that from that day to this his name has been enshrined 
ni the hearts of the American people alongside that of the sainted 
Washington. (Applause). History records no character that 
surpasses him for love of liberty, romantic chivalry, unbounded 
generosity and unwavering devotion. 

The surrender of Bourgoyne at Yorktown virtually secured the 

86 



Address by Mr. Charles A. DeCourcy. 

independence of America. As Tarleton wrote in his History of 
the Campaigns, this "superiority at sea proved a strength to the 
enemies of Great Britain, deranged the plans of her generals, dis- 
heartened the courage of her friends, and finally confirmed the 
independence of America." The elated French and Spanish na- 
tions planned a mighty campaign against England which rendered 
it advisable for her to conclude with us a treaty of peace; it was 
largely in consequence of that growing zeal from Yorktown that 
England began negotiations for peace, and the very next year 
after Yorktown, under Lord Shelburne's ministry, the independ- 
ence of the United States was acknowledged. (Applause). 

In recognizing the invaluable aid rendered by the Marquis de 
Lafayette, we are not unmindful of the credit due to the other 
brilliant Frenchmen who came to our assistance, and to the great 
country of which they were citizens. Unquestionably it was the 
participation of France in the war of independence that made 
American liberty possible in the i8th century. When, in 1778, 
following the decisive victory at Saratoga, she made the treaty of 
alliance v/ith the colonists, the conflict ceased to be one for the 
suppression of a mutiny, and became a war between the British 
Monarchy on the one hand and the American people and the King 
of France on the other. The outcome of that was settled at York- 
town. From an almost bankrupt treasury France gave millions of 
pounds to supply our urgent needs, and she gave the blood of her 
best sons to carry on our battles — and she never once reminded us 
of the debt we owed her. (Applause). 

Today America, in common with other civilized nations, owes 
to France another great debt. Four years ago the autocratic mili- 
tary caste of Prussia undertook to carry out its long-cherished plan 
of dominating the world by force. They openly violated every 
accepted rule of international law, they trod under foot every ob- 
ligation of humanity, they resorted to every method of fiendish, 
scientific savagery. And France — France of Jofifre and of Foch, 
the same France as the France of Lafayette and Rochambeau — 
met the shock with characteristic bravery and self-sacrifice. For 
a long time we were blind to the fact that France and her allies, 
in fighting for the liberty of Europe, were defending our liberty 
as v;ell. Now it has been demonstrated that if we were not war- 

«7 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

ring in France today we would be defending ourselves against that 
same tyranny on our own soil, in the midst of ruin and bloodshed. 
(Applause). 

America at last has resolved to sacrifice, if need be, her last 
man, her last dollar, her last mite of energy and resources, to see 
to it that the end, and the final end, comes to this menace of mili- 
tary tyranny (Applause) ; let us see to it that at the same time 
the old debt to the protector of our national childhood is paid at 
last (Applause) ; let us see to it that France has restored to her 
every foot of her terrtitory, including Alsace-Lorraine (Applause) ; 
let us see to it that she is fully recompensed for all the sacrifices 
and all the suffering and the loss she has sustained (Applause) ; 
let us not rest until we can assure for her a future of safety to 
carry out, in her own way, in peace and happiness, her own salva- 
tion. (Applause). 

This is a good day, my friends, to remember. We owe it to 
the founders of the Republic and we owe it to ourselves to see to it 
that we repay in full, generously, joyfully, the debt we owe to 
France for making possible liberty in America in the eighteenth 
century, and for all she suffered to preserve freedom, self-govern- 
ment and Christian civilization in the twentieth century. (Great 
applause). 



Ex-Gov. Bates: The next speaker was born in Ohio. He 
graduated from our military academy at West Point in 1876, in 
the centennial year, and from that day to this, so far as I can re- 
call, America has never had any scrap with anybody that he has 
not participated in it. (Applause). He went against the Sioux 
Indians in the Powder River campaign the year that he gradu- 
ated — 1876 and 1877; and he went against the Bannocks in 1878. 
And then you will remember that we had some trouble with Spain, 
and he was a participant in that struggle. Then we had trouble, if 
you recall, as the result of an insurrection in the Philippines, and 
he was one of the officers who were sent to put down that insur- 
rection ; and it was put down. And then we had trouble in Pekin, 
and nobody knew what was going to happen there, and he was sent' 
with the officers that were sent with the American forces to the 
relief of Pekin. And now I present to you a gallant officer of an 
invincible army — Major-General William Crozier, Commanding 
Northeastern Department. (Great applause). 

88 



The Battle of the Marne 

Address by Major-General William Crozier, U. S. A. 

Ladies and gentlemen : There are many kinds of satisfaction 
in receiving that kind of an introduction. One kind which occurs 
to me is that it gives me at least one characteristic in common with 
that which General Grant said that he himself possessed. In 
speaking of the Mexican war he stated in his memoirs that he had 
to confess that that war would probably have turned out just as 
it did if he had not taken any part in it. Here I shall be obliged 
to state that these different incidents in which our government 
and its military forces have been engaged, which your presiding 
officer has been kind enough to refer to me in connection with, 
would have had the same kind of termination if I had not been 
there as a party to your forces. 

I have been asked to speak to you this evening about the Battle 
of the Marne. At this time, with the war still upon us and with 
many of the actors of that battle still intensely occupied in the 
prosecution of the war, it is difficult to put together an accurate 
account of it and to answer all the questions that occur in connec- 
tion with it, which in their entirety will afford an answer to the 
great question as to why that momentous engagement turned out 
as it did turn out rather than to turn out differently. There are, 
however, certain outstanding facts which are well known — at least, 
they can be well known to one who has studied them — and which 
give us a general idea such as we can be content with until we get 
the more complete knowledge which will come from the disclosure 
of the information which is until now held in the offices of the 
general staffs, particularly of France and of Germany. 

Among those things which of course can be well known, and 
which are well known to most of us and to most of this audience, 
is the character of the theatre of war — the north-eastern part of 
France and of Belgium. The salient features of that theatre are 
the boundary line of France on the eastern and northeastern side. 
The boundary line between France and Belgium commences at 
Switzerland and runs in a northerly and somewhat westerly direc- 
tion for about 200 miles, into what is practically the southernmost 
end of Belgrum. From that point it turns at an angle and run^ 

89 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

approximately northwest for about 200 miles to the North Sea, 
Paris is situated a little south of west of the point of the angle — 
that is, the northern extremity of the eastern boundary between 
France and Germany — and distant from the boundary line about 
200 miles. It is situated about 125 miles southwest of the nearest 
])oint of the northwestern part of this frontier — that is, the divid- 
ing line between France and Belgium. 

Before the war, in expectation of which France and Germany 
liad been confronting each other along these two frontiers for a 
number of years, France had made preparations which consisted 
primarily in the maintenace of two armies near the eastern fron- 
tier, so disposed that they could be mobilized or concentrated in 
about three days. No adequate preparation had been made by 
France to repel an invasion which might take place along the 
frontier dividing France from Belgium. The fortifications, few 
in number, along that frontier, had not been kept in efficient con- 
dition. No new fortifications had been established, and those 
actually in existence had been allowed to lapse into a state of com- 
parative inefficiency. There was no lack of citizens of France who 
were dissatisfied with this treatment of that frontier, but never- 
theless it was the treatment which the French government thought 
Avas justified under the circumstances. The reliance of the French 
government was upon inernational law with regard to this frontier. 
That law should have safeguarded France from invasion through 
the neutral territory of Belgium. Her friends were well aware of 
the advantage which an advance through Belgium would give to 
(jermany, and perhaps their attachment of a sufficient value to the 
protection of international law rested upon the fact that there had 
been recently concluded a convention covering this subject, more 
solemn and more formal than any which had up to that time been 
agreed upon between the nations of the world. At the Peace Con- 
ference at the Hague in 1899 there was concluded, among other 
treaties, the convention of the laws of war on land, to which all 
the parties to this war were signatories. This convention declared 
that the territor}'^ of neutral countries in war should be inviolate. 
Tt was the first convention for the laws of war on land which had 
ever been agreed upon internationally. Up to that time no nation 
except the United States had even a code of the laws of war on 



Address by Major-General William Croaier, U. S. A. 

land for the government of its armies, and those laws were in the 
main such as a commander of armies in the field would choose to 
interpret them to be, or would interpret them to be under such 
compulsion as he felt normally subject to. 

Now for the first time France felt that she did not have to rely 
alone on Germany's interpretation of this particular feature of 
international law, but that she had a support for it which justified 
her in running a risk of which she well appreciated the consequence 
of a mistake in. The sanction of international law will necessarily 
form a serious subject of discussion at the conclusion of the pres- 
ent war. 

On August 3d, Germany declared war on France and invaded 
Belgium. On the 7th of August the German forces entered Liege, 
about 200 miles northeast of Paris. The French forces at this time 
consisted principally of five armies, numbered from the eastward, 
or the right flank, from one to five consecutively. Two of these 
armies — the first and second — afterwards fought facing approxi- 
mately to the eastward from Verdun, with their line extending in 
a southeasterly direction. The remaining armies were extended to 
the westward and took part in the Battle of the Marne. 

The German forces consisted of eight armies in principal com- 
position, numbered from their right also — that is, from the west- 
ward — from one to eight consecutively. The first five of these 
took part in what we call the Battle of the Marne ; the other three 
faced the first and second French armies to the southeastward of 
Verdun. The resistance of the Belgians, unexpected to the Ger- 
mans, gave a sufficient time to the French to particularly concentrate 
their armies in Belgium, where they had not expected to concen- 
trate them.. Behind the two armies which were kept in readiness 
for mobilization on the eastern frontier and which I have just 
spoken about, it was intended to form a third army, a large anny. 
which should be used as the initial incidents of the war should in- 
dicate was necessary. This army was prepared with reference to 
an invasion of the Eastern front, and all the movements were pre- 
pared in reference to that invasion. It therefore required a very 
considerable time to change those preparations, which consisted of 
volumes of instructions and all information in regard to what they 
were to do, which were disseminated among the various people who 

9^ 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

were to take part in their execution, and also to make new dispo- 
sitions of the various accumulations of means of transport and of 
supplies, so that these could form a part of the equipment of an 
army to be concentrated in this unexpected place in Belgium, to 
the northward. But, as I stated, the resistance of the Belgians 
gave sufficient time for this concentration to be effected to such an 
extent that the French were able to give battle to the Germans on 
the 23rd or 24th of August at Charleroi, about 140 miles northeast 
of Paris and almost in a direct line between Paris and Liege, which 
the Germans had entered on the 7th of August. 

I mention these places, giving distance and direction from 
Paris, not because Paris was the first object of the German army 
but because the position of Paris, being well known, I can by this 
means refresh your ideas of the location about which I am speak- 
ing. The first object of the German army — the great object of the 
<"ierman army — was of course the French army and its destruction 
or demoralization so that it should no longer count as a factor in 
the war, and Germany and Austria could then be free to turn their 
attention to their larger but less advanced adversary in the east — 
that is, Russia. 

General JofTre was not yet ready to try the issue with Germany 
at the time of the Battle of Charleroi; the issue would undoubtedly 
have gone against France seriously if it had been pushed at that 
time. Therefore, he broke off that battle and fell back, and two 
days later the French fell back still further, accompanied by the 
British, who in the meantime had been landed in France to the ex- 
tent of about 70,000 men. About this time. August 25th, General 
I off re announced the plan of the fonnation of two new armies for 
rhe purpose of forming what he called maneuvering troops, to 
operate in the neighlx)rhood of his left or western flanks. These 
two armies were the sixth, under General Maunoury, and the sev- 
enth under General Foch. This seventh army by some curious 
confusion is sometimes spoken of as the ninth army, and in read- 
ing about the war it may avoid obscurity by remembering that fad 
— that General Foch was put in command in the early part of the 
war of what is sometimes called the seventh army and sometimes 
the ninth army. General Joffre planned that his army must con- 
tinue to fall back until these two new armies had been collected 

Q2 



Address by Major-Ceneral William Crosier, U. S. A. 

logfther, partly by transferring trops from the other armies to 
the new organization and partly by the collection of soldiers from 
the body of the republic. He had not at the time of the Battle of 
Charleroi really determined the place where his final stand should 
be made, but he knew it was farther to the rear, somewhere near 
the vicinity of the Aisne or the Marne, or perhaps even as far back 
as the Seine. In pursuance of this plan he directed his armies to 
fall back until they got into what was finally the field of the series 
of contests which have received the name of the Battle of the 
Marne. This field extended from Paris almost due east for about 
150 miles to Vitry-le Francois, and from that point it extended in 
a northeasterly direction to Verdun. Of course these were not 
the lines upon which the armies met exactly, they were not the 
battle lines at all ; but they mark the direction and the extent of 
that zone of territory which can be considered in general the battle 
field. The French armies which took part in this battle extended 
from Verdun toward Paris southerly and westerly in a great loop 
which dipped to the southward. 

The German advance had been, after the Battle of Charleroi, 
extremely rapid and along lines which spread out in something like 
a fan shape. They had brought General von Kluck's forces to 
within 25 miles of Paris, to a place called Senlis, almost to the 
north of Paris. Here he found himself somewhat separated from 
the army of General von Buelow almost to the eastward of him — 
the second army. The other armies were distributed between that 
point in facing the French army in the direction of Verdun. In 
these conditions General von Kluck found that he was too far from 
the army next to the eastward of him — General von Buelow's 
army. He apprehended that he was also very considerably to the 
westward of the left of the French anny. which he thought was 
well to the eastward of Paris and which he thought also consiste<l 
of the fifth French army alone. He was unaware of the fact that 
in the meantime General Joffre had succeeded in placing General 
Maunoury's army, the sixth, to the northward of Paris, and there- 
fore dangerously upon his right flank, and he was also unaware of 
the fact that there had been formed General Foch's seventh army, 
which had been inserted between the French fourth and fifth arm- 
ies, which had permitted the fifth army to be extended farther to 

93 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

the westward. He also opined that the British army on the left 
of that portion of General Foch's forces which were to the east- 
ward of Paris had been so thoroughly done up by the handling it 
had received and the retreat that it had made, that it could no 
longer be of any particular service. Under these circumstances he 
did the obvious thing in moving to the southeastward, making an 
effort to encircle the French left flank and to overwhelm it. He 
probably cannot be excused for his ignorance of the extent of 
General Maunoury's army. 

General Joffre had formed his plan by this time, which was to 
bring General Maunoury's army down on the western flank and in 
the rear of von Kluck's army, and at the same time attack that 
army in front with the French fifth army, to overwhelm it and 
disintegrate it and cut the lines of communication of the German 
army to bring upon it a great disaster. Carrying this idea out 
General Manuoury attacked General von Kluck on the 5th of Sep- 
tember. It was about the 4th of September that General von Kluck 
had started on his move to the southeastward past Paris. General 
Maunoury hoped that by that time General von Kluck w^ould be 
so engaged with the British forces to the southwest of him that he 
could not untangle himself and would be in no position to turn 
and meet him. The attack, however, was made without this having 
taken place. General von Kluck was not yet desperately engaged, 
even keenly engaged, wath General French's army, and therefore 
he was in a good position to withdraw his army from the southern 
positions to which he had penetrated and throw it against the ad- 
vancing army of General Maunoury, facing his army to the w^est 
against General Maunoury. There then developed a very great 
battle in this part of the field, which has been called the battle of 
the Ourcq, and in it General von Kluck not only was able to hold 
back the forces of General Manuoury, but by bringing additional 
reinforcements down from the north, which he was able to do. 
he partially enveloped the left or northern flank of General Maun- 
oury's army so that that army was strongly put to it to save itself 
from being greatly damaged by being crumpled up from the north- 
ward. It, however, did so save itself. It received eventually re- 
inforcements on that left flank, four days after the attack of Gen- 
eral Maunoury on General von Kluck. during which four days the 

94 



Address by Major-General WiUiam Crosier, U. S. A. 

lighting had been proceeding with great severity. This reinforce- 
ment consisted of the famous Taxicab army. The mihtary gov- 
ernor of Paris had sent an army of about ten thousand or twenty 
thousand out from Paris, where it had but just disembarked, in 
taxicabs which he had ready in anticipation of a need of this kind. 
It was not this taxicab army which fully met General von Kluck's 
army, but it was a reinforcement of General Alaunoury's army in 
this way which enabled it to hold its place against General von 
Kluck's army. 

The engagement thus commenced on the 5th of September, but 
it was on the day of this anniversary — the 6th, the next day — that, 
in accordance with the orders of General Joflfre, the forces began 
their general engagement through the whole extent of the line. The 
center of the French army under General Foch, commanding the 
seventh army, and the army to the right of him, the fourth army, 
was very strongly attacked by the German center. This attack was 
particularly violent from the 7th to the lOth of September, in pur- 
suance of a plan of the Germans to break through the French 
center and defeat the French army, which plan had been hastily 
formed when it was evident that General von Kluck was not going 
to succeed in enveloping the French left. General Foch's army 
was very severely handled in this effort, and it was during a part 
of it that, after he had been pushed back first in one part of his 
line and then in another part of his line, that he made his report 
to headquarters which has been since admiringly quoted, stating 
that the different parts of his line had been attacked, driven from 
their positions, pushed back, and when he came to that part of his 
statement when he might very well have been expected to put up 
to his superiors the desperate condition that his troops were in and 
the necessity for helping him out of a strait, he ended his 
report by saying, 'T shall attack," and he did. (Applause). And 
he put his attack through. He penetrated the German line and he 
penetrated so far that momentous consequences followed. 

While this fighting was going on the armies to the eastward 
as far as Verdun were strongly engaged with those in their 
front. The one to the extreme east near Verdun, the third army 
of General Sarrail, attacked to the eastward about the 5th of 
September, about the same time th.at General Maunour^'s army 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

attacked Von Kluck to the westward, in an effort to push back 
the army of the Crown Prince of Prussia — the fifth German 
army — which faced it, and to get behind the German communica- 
tions upon that flank. In this it was not successful ; but it pre- 
vented any advance of the fifth army. 

Rig:ht here it is desirable to say a word as to why General 
Foch's army was able to so successfully penetrate the German 
center and to produce the state of affairs which, more than any 
other, contributed to the German retreat which was precipi- 
tately commenced on the loth of September. General Maun- 
oury's army, as I have stated, had not succeeded in enveloping 
the German western flank ; it rather got somewhat enveloped 
itself. Therefore, General Joffre's plan of an overwhelming 
victory could not be realized at this time. But General Maun- 
oury's army did accomplish a very important thing. It drew 
against it such a large proportion, such a complete proportion 
of General von Kluck's army, and by sympathetic attraction, so 
as to avoid the opening of a dangerous gap, such a proportion of 
General von Buelow's army immediately to the east of General 
von Kluck's army, that it left a gap or a thin place between 
General von Buelow and General von Hausen's army, which 
was the next one to the eastward of that, and it was into this 
gap that General Foch seized the opportunity to penetrate — a 
most creditable action, giving promise of the military perspica- 
city which that officer has continued to show. Realizing that 
their attempt to envelop the French left had failed, and realizing 
that General Foch's army had penetrated far into its lines — he 
crossed the Marne on the nth of September — the German army 
realized that that particular game v/as up and that there was 
nothing for it to do but to go back by the way it had come, and 
back it went. (Applause.) 

After this very sketchy outline of this highly important 
event it is interesting to isolate, if possible, the principal reason 
why it turned out as it did as a French victory rather than in the 
final German victory, as far as the French were concerned, which 
had been the confident expectation of the German high com- 
mand. The Germans are said to have, in consequence of their 
belief that the French were retreating in rout and not as a 

96 



Address by Major-General William Crozier, U. S. A. 

matter of strateg}^ advaixced with great precipitation, to such 
an extent that they outran their supplies and became otherwise 
disorganized. They ran ahead of their important supplies — 
munitions for their artillery. We will know later, perhaps, how 
much weight to assign to this reason. As far as the shortage of 
ammunition was concerned, the French were also troubled, and 
we know of distressing items of informantion which were sent 
to the French commanders as to the time when the replenish- 
ment of their munitions might be expected. There has been a 
great deal of discussion as to whether Maunoury's attack upon 
Von Kluck's army was premature and should not have been 
dealt until the design had been assured— that Von Kluck's army 
should be keenly engaged with Sir John French's army on the 
French left. Being thus engaged it is not easy for an army to 
be extricated so that it can be used for a new attack in another 
part of the field. 

There is also a discussion as to whether Sir John French 
was too slow and did not sufficiently soon attack General von 
Kluck's army so as to aid General Maunoury's attack on the 
left flank. I think it is a matter of easy speculation, in the light 
of such information as we have, that General von Kluck stopped 
and turned against Maunoury too soon for the French plans, 
because he had finally become aware of the presence of Maun- 
oury's army, which could not, being a large force, be with- 
held from his knowledge for the length of time it was necessary 
for the complete realization of General Joffre's plan. We know 
that there were various means of information not available for 
generals in former wars, particularly the information v/hich they 
obtained by their aviation service. We do not know definitely 
whether Von Kluck had this information, but his action was 
just such as he might have been expected to take if it had suddenly 
come into his possession. 

There are, however, several very strong outstanding facts 
as to Germany's bungle. Their general staff made several bad 
guesses. They made a bad guess that the French were in 
rout. They made another bad guess that there had been a 
greater concentration of French troops to the eastward, whicn 
guess was induced by the spirited fighting which General Castel- 

97 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

nau, particularly with the second army, was doing in that 
region, than there actually was. They failed to get the extent 
of Maunoury's army, or that General French or General Joffre 
would be able to place any force in this, to them, very dan- 
gerous position. 

This has been said to be, by different persons speaking of it, 
a war of various things. It has been called a war of munitions. 
It has been called a war of ocean transports. It has been 
called a war of man-power, and of various other elements which 
happened at the time to be uppermost in the speaker's mind. 
The Battle of the Marne has also been said to have been won 
by certain particular elements which the speaker thought parti- 
cular weight should attach to. Among the brilliant things which 
were done in connection with it were certain performances by 
the railroad of France, which have not been very extensively 
noticed. The new armies of General Foch and of General 
Maunoury were formed by the transfer to them, as I have 
stated, particularly of troops from the forces farther to the east- 
ward, and this army just before the 9th of September received 
a very strong reinforcement from the entire fourth army corps 
which had been transported by rail from the third army way 
to the eastward, near A^erdnn, across and behind the French 
army, crossing the natural lines of communication, and had 
been landed at a place where it would do the most good. I 
have personally heard General Joffre say that the Battle of the 
Marne was a victory for the railroad. But all commentators 
unite in saying that for one thing it was a victory of the 
French soldier. (Applause.) 

By September 5 General JoftVe had his dispositions all made. 
They had required a master mind, and the master mind was 
present to compass them. It had been the practice of the 
French for many years to select one of their generals in time 
of peace and assign him to the command of their forces when 
the expected war with Germany should take place. General 
Joffre had been the man so selected, and he justified the selec- 
tion. Having made his dispositions he knew that the matter was 
from that time up to the French subordinate generals and to the 
individual instruments of war — the men. As a final announce- 

98 



Address by Major-Gcncral JJ'iUiaui Crozier, U. S. A. 

ment to his troops he issued the order which has become famous. 
A part of it ran as follows : 

"At the moment when a battle on which the welfare of 
the councry depends is about to begin, I feel it ni) duty to 
remind you that it is no longer appropriate to look behind. 
We have now but one Ijusiuess in hand — to attack and repel 
the enemy. An army which can no longer advance will at 
all costs hold its ground and allow itself to be slain where 
it stands rather than to give way " 

How well the citizens of France responded is well known. 
(Great applause.) 

The right of this battle to be included among the decisive 
battles of the world, those which have changed the whole sub- 
sequent history of civilization, has also been somewhat dis- 
cussed already. Whether it shall be permanently entitled to 
a place in that list depends upon the outcome of the war. If the 
outcome shall be a German victory, or an inconclusive peace, 
^ome other contest to take place later will be. found upon that 
list; but if the outcome shall be what we intend to make it 
(applause), the Battle of the Marne will go on that list to stay 
there, no matter what may subsequently take place, as being the 
event at which the German system of handling peoples first was 
definitely arrested and turned back. 

The German system of government is a very efficient 
system for preparation for war. The system is autocratic, and 
if the central governing power adopts as one of the prime objects 
of government military preparation, military preparation will 
be added. A central authority, a central command, is the best 
for wielding the entire power of a national organism against 
another power. It has been said in a very interesting little book 
that in primitive times the despotic government of tribes and 
communities was necessary because in the earlier stages of 
humanity, when every little tribe was at war with its neighbor, 
that kind of a government, able to wield unquestioned the total 
strength of the little organization, was the only one that could 
survive. Are we, then, driven to admit that in those future con- 
tests, which we can only faintly hope will some time come to an 
end through better methods of settling international disputes, 

99 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

autocratic government must in the nature of things ultimately 
win out because of this greater military efficiency of that kind 
of government? I judge the contrary, and for the reason that a 
government by the consent of the governed breeds better men 
than a government of suppression of the masses of the people. 
It not only attracts to itself the majority of men, as is evidenced 
in this war — because counting the four principal free govern- 
ments at war with Austria and Germany we outnumber them in 
population about two to one — but the system of the independence 
of the individual as promoted by a free government develops a 
resource which is the principal resource of any nation in war — 
namely, its man power. (Applause.) If the centralized govern- 
ment can better handle its resources, especially in the stage of 
preparation for war, when free peoples are thinking of some- 
thing else, the free government has better resourses to handle 
when these representatives of the two kinds of government con- 
front one another on the battle field. The man trainecT to in- 
dependent thought is not only a more intelligent soldier, better 
able to master the weapons of war, which are of increasing 
number and delicacy of construction, but understanding and 
being in full sympathy with what he is fighting for, his heart 
is steeled to determination to bring about the outcome which he 
understands ; and in a contest which may perhaps again take 
place between those who live under the two forms of govern- 
ment, we have a right to hope that victory will rest with the 
sounder, the finer, the more comprehending and the more de- 
voted human aggregation. Such a victory was had at the 
Battle of the Marne. (Great applause.) 



Ex-Gov. Bates: When I came in this evening the band was 
playing the stirring strains of "Over There," and when we hear 
the band playing this piece it makes us all want to take a part. 
It is not possible for many of us to take a part over there. 

The next speaker was born in France but has spent most of 
his life in this country. When the war broke out he heard the 
call to colors and he enlisted in the French army and has seen 
eighteen months' active service. He will speak to us for our 
beloved friend and ally — France. I introduce Professor Louis 
Mercier of Harvard. (Great applause). 



lOO 



Address by M. Lcuis J. A. Mercier. 

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen : It is indeed a striking 
coincidence that the anniversary of the birth of Lafayette and 
the anniversary of the Battle of the Marne should fall on the 
same day, because it forces us to consider together in com- 
memoration the champion of the American Revolution and the 
soldiers of the Marne, it makes us realize that the soldiers of the 
Am^erican Revolution and the soldiers of the armies of France 
and of England in 1914 fought for the very same principles. 
(Applause.) 

And in the few minutes at my disposal I should like to 
empha.'-ize this one thought, which is especially precious to the 
people of French blood, in whose name I have the honor to 
speak this evening. It is this thought: That the war of which 
Lafayette was the champion, the war of the American Revolu- 
tion, and the present world war are one and the same war. 
(Applause.) The roar of the cannons of the Marne were but the 
echo of the shots fired by the embattled farmers of Lexington 
and Concord. The principles proclaimed by the allied govern- 
ments were the very same principles which inspired the men 
vdio met in this hall — the fathers of the American Revolution. 
Not that I mean to insinuate that the nation they stood up 
against is to be compared with the nation we are fighting. 
(Applause.) ^, 

It is very interesting to note that the explanation of the 
battle of Concord by the people of Massachusetts to the English 
King — or, rather, to the German Prince who then happened to 
be King of England (applause) — was that his soldiers had first 
lired against them, and that they had fired only in answer, and 
that they had fought through the day — note the words, ladies 
and gentlemen — they had fought through the day in straight 
defence of their rights and their homes as Englishmen. So 
you note the colonists still used the term "Englishmen" in the 
sense of freemen. And free men they meant to remain. 

But the point I want to make is this: That the words of 
the soldiers of Concord could have been used by the soldiers of 
the Marne. They, too, had been first fired upon ; and they, too, 
fought through the day in straight defence of their rights and 
of their homes. (Applause.) 

lOI 



Lafayette, Day in Boston 

So, ladies and gentlemen, it is not a distinction of nationali- 
ties we are making today. There is only one distinction today, 
and it is a distinction of ideals. There is only one issue today, 
and it is the issue voiced by the American colonist: "Shall the 
homes and shall the rights of free men survive?" It is the issue 
which Lafayette in the French city of Aletz heard about and 
which thrilled him. He tells us himself in his diary : "When I 
first heard the story of the quarrel between England and her 
American colonies I thought of nothing more save of espousing 
their cause ; such a glorious cause had never before attracted 
the attention of mankind ; it was the last struggle of liberty ; if 
she were, then, vanquished, neither hope nor asylum would 
remain for her." 

Now, ladies and gentlemen, are these not strange words to 
have been written in 1775? Do they not seem rather to have 
been written more today? Are they not the words we have 
been repeating for the last four years ; and if so, is it not clear 
that this war and the war of the American Revolution are one 
and the same war? The last struggle of liberty, the struggle 
Lafayette himself engaged in, the last struggle to consecrate 
the world to freedom. Oh, my friends, we do realize that this 
is not a war and never has been a war, between England and 
Germany, or between France and Germany. It has been from 
the start a world war against everything which Germanism 
stands for. (Applause.) And we realize that we have to take 
our share in it as Americans. But as Americans you have the 
right to go further and to say that if this war belongs to any 
nation in particular, that nation is the United States of America. 
(Applause.) We should realize the full truth and know that 
this is primarily America's war. 

I had the privilege of being at the front during the years 
before America entered the war, and I cannot tell you what an 
agony it was while we waited for America to enter the roll 
call of the lovers of freedom. Not that we doubted for an instant 
that she would ansAver it, but as long as she had not the 
meaning of this Avar she could not be fully claimed, nor the issue 
of this war decisive or permanent. The European nations with 
their ancient feuds could only speak in terms of their own rights. 

102 



Address by M. Louis J. A. Mcrcier. 

America alone, because she had fired the first shot for freedom, 
and because through her history she has kept aloof from 
European affairs, America alone in this great world crisis could 
step forward and speak in the name of the whole world, speak 
in the name of the rights of all humanity. (Applause.) And 
to realize this is to know that this is primarily America's war, 
and because it is primarily America's war, because the meaning 
of the war could not be fully clear until the Stars and Stripes 
were unfurled upon its battlefields, we should not be surprised 
at the changes that have come since America entered the war, 
(Applause.) 

Today the whole anti-German world is ringing with the 
slogan, voiced by America and adopted as the slogan of the 
war: "We are fighting to make the world safe for democracy." 
(Applause.) Today a new spirit, a spirit of confidence and joy, 
runs through the allied armies ; but my friends, that spirit could 
not be born until the day when, as Governor Bates so well said, 
General Pershing stepped to the tomb of Lafayette and in 
words of matchless eloquence in their simplicity said, "Lafayette, 
here we are!" (Applause.) These were the words that told the 
world that this world war and the war of the American Re- 
volution were t)uF~one war; these were the words that France 
had long' prayed for, not so much because they meant to her 
material help, not because she was tired of the battle and the 
sacrifice, but because she longed to hear her elder sister in 
freedom say to her, "Yes, I recognize it — you are fighting my 
battle, and I, as the first nation born of free men, for whose 
defence you are bleeding — I must come and take my place and 
suffer by your side." (Applause.) 

Oh, my friends, you cannot know what it has meant lo 
France to hear these words. I am thinking of comrades who 
fell in 1914 and 1915. They could not know that their cause 
would triumph, they could not know for certain that the sacri- 
fices of the fathers would save the children from slavery. But 
now it is all different. Now the individual may fall, but he 
knows that his cause is marching on, marching on, marching on 
to victory. (Applause.) And it is m.arching on to victory right 
now, (applause) and with gigantic strides. And, my fr-ends, 1 

103 



Lafayette Day in Boston 

know you are not ready to claim that the allies had to wait the 
coming of our boys to learn how to fight. I know you under- 
stand that under God the great victories are due to the unity 
of command and the genius of the commander-in-chief, to the 
new mechanics of war — the tanks and the new guns, and the 
new shells. But you have a right to feel as we all feel, that the 
• allied armies are going forward today with a new ardor that will 
not be denied, and that a part of this ardor at least is due to 
the inspiration which the American boys have brought over 
there, and to the fact that over the battlefield, along with the 
bravery of England and the genius of France, now sweeps on the 
irresistible spirit of America. (Applause.) 

Aye, the face of the battle has changed because Pershing's 
Crusaders have come (applause) and the face of the world will 
change because Pershing's Crusaders will win. Let the op- 
pressed people of the earth look up, for we know the victory of 
the Crusaders will bring their liberation ; and let the leaders that 
are oppressing peoples, including their own, reap their full pun- 
ishment, for we know that the Crusaders will see to it that they 
pay the penalty of oppression. (Applause.) For, my friends, 
the world is not going to be dominated by the leaders whose 
spirit could inspire the invasion of Belgium, the torturing of 
women and children, the sinking of the Lusitania, the enslaving 
of whole populations, the bombing of hospitals and the torpedo- 
ing of hospital ships. No, it is not going to be dominated by the 
ideals of men who would fasten all these hellish degradations 
upon men. But it is going to be vitalized anew by the ideals of 
the men who met in this hall through the Revolution, by the 
ideals of the soldiers of Lexington and Concord, and of the 
soldiers of the Marne, by the ideals which inspired Lafayette and 
which thrill the blood of the victorious allies today. The world 
is not going to be dominated by Germanism, but it is going to 
be inspired forever by the ideals of America. (Great applause.) 



Ex-Gov. Bates: The Lieutenant-Governor of the Common- 
wealth is on the platform, but he has asked to be excused from 
speaking because of the lateness of the hour. But on your 
behalf I want to extend to him a most cordial welcome as the 

104 



Address by M. Louis J. A. Mcrcier. 

representative of our Commonwealth — the Commonwealth of 
Liberty. (Applause.) 

I think our fondness for the French national anthem is ex- 
celled only by that of the French themselves. (Applause.) We 
are you going to be led in the singing by the voice of one who has 
so often thrilled Boston audiences that we feel as though we 
have a proprietary interest in him, although he conies from 
across the sea. Monsieur Ramon Blanchart will lead us in 
singing "La Marseillaise," and you will all join heartily in the 
chorus. 



(Singing of "La Marseillaise" by M. Ramon Blanchart, the 
audience joining in the chorus.) 



An address by the Hon. Channing Cox was a feature of the 
I^afayette day celebration held at 4 o'clock by the Naval Service 
Club, at its rooms on Beacon Street. Mayor Peters, Rear 
Admiral Spencer S. Wood and Captain W. R. Rush were present 
as also several hundred sailors from the warships, the Navy 
Yard and Commonwealth Pier. A bust of Lafayette, the work 
of Rodin, the French sculptor, occupied a prominent place be- 
tween the two windows on the outside of the building. 

Lafayette-Marne Day was also celebrated at the St. Paul 
Cathedral with a patriotic service at noon. A vested choir of 
men with trumpets led in patriotic hymns on the porch, while 
a patriotic service was held in the church with an address by 
the Rev. Edward T. Sullivan on "The Spirit of Lafayette and 
the Mystery of the Marne." 

Among the guests of honor were J. C. J. Flamand, French 
Consul and Admiral Spencer S. Wood and his staff. 

The Algonquin Club also had exercises in connection with 
Lafayette Day. Fred H. Prince sent the following message to 
Marshal Joffre : 

"Our army of citizens fighting side by side with the 
French heroes is worthy of your prophecy. Our Boston 
population is full of joy and recalls your triumphant visit 
with emotion." 

105 



Lafayette Day in Milwaukee 

To which Marshal Joffre rephed : 

"With you, dear Mr. Prince, I heartily applauded last 
year the birth of the American army, and again with you [ 
applauded with joy the first successes of the army. Like 
you and with you, I foresaw from the very first what a 
great and fine army would soon help us to pursue the Ger- 
mans out of our beloved France and to deal the final blow 
to the enemies of democracy and of liberty. 

"Pray accept, dear Mr. Prince, the expression of my 
aflrectionate regard. 

(Signed) "J. Joffre." 

Exercises were also held on the Boston Common where the 
public gathered and sang the Marseillaise. The ceremony of 
"Honor to the Flags" was another feature. Portraits of the 
French war leaders were shown upon a screen erected for the 
purpose as also pictures of American and French troops, w^hile 
new^ war films made up the remainder of the programme. 

The Knights of Columbus Hall on the Boston Common also 
held special exercises which included addresses by Judge Wil- 
liam J. Day, State Department of the Knights of Columbus, 
Rev. James N. McNair, chaplain, and first class machinist's mate, 
Louis Schwarn, U. S. N. The patriotic programme which was 
arranged by John W. McAcy, director of the Boston district, 
took place on a platform erected in front of the Knights of 
Columbus Building on the Common. Soldiers and sailors furn- 
ished the music for the exercises. 



MILWAUKEE, WIS. 

An audience filled the auditorium to capacity at the cele- 
bration given under the auspices of the City Club. The speakers 
o-rouped on the platform were: Doctor Paul S. Reinsch, Minis- 
ter to China, Chief Justice John B. W^inslow, Ex-Justices J. E. 
Dodge, John Barnes and Fred S. Hunt, President of the City 

Club. 

The principal speakers were Hon. James W^ Gerard, former 
Ambassador to Germany and Mr. Stephane Lauzanne. 

io6 



Lafayette Day in Mihvaiikee 

The exercises began with the singing of the "Star Spangled 
Banner" by Miss Clementine Malek who also sang the "Mar- 
seillaise" and the Great Lakes Naval Band played. 

Characterizing Lafayette as "The man who more than any 
other historical figure symbolizes the union of the spirit of France 
and America," F. S. Hunt introduced Chief Justice Winslow. 
Both Mr. Gerard and Mr. Lauzanne were given ovations as 
Mr. Winslow presented them in turn ; the audience rising to 
welcome them with \vaving flags and applause. Mr. Gerard 
said in part : 

"Since I last spoke to you here, a great deal of water 
has nm under the bridge, and a great many Huns have also 
run over the bridge. I told you last October how the kaiser 
shook his finger in my face and told me that after the war 
he would stand no nonsense from the United States 

"We are now in a position to inform the kaiser that we 
will stand no nonsense from Germany. We have learned 
a lot about Germany and we have been surprised. But what 
do you think must have been Germany's surprise at us — first 
when we broke relations, then when we went to war, and 
more when we showed them we could make war as effi- 
ciently as they? 

"President Wilson has done two great things. He has 
put this war for ideals on the plane of a great crusade and 
he has led us to battle with an efficiency that a German 
general stafif never dreamed of. 

"I want Lieut. Lauzanne to take back to France this 
message from all the people of America — the v^^ords of 
Lafayette : T am with you until the end and until victory.' " 

Messages were read from Ambassador Jusserand, saying 
that there was one place the German spies had not been able 
to pry into — the American heart; from President Poincare, 
voicing admiration and affection for America ; from Marshal Foch ; 
Marshal Joffre ; from General Pershing. 

The full text of Mr. Stephane Lauzanne's address follows: 



107 



Lafayette Day in Milwaukee 

TO THE LAST HEART BEAT FOR VICTORY 

By M. Stephane Lausanne, member of the French High Com- 
mission to the United States and Editor of Le Martin, Paris, at tiie 
Milwaukee Celebration of Lafayette Day. 

This is a great day. This is a day where we celebrate 
together the services of Lafayette and of Joffre — the man of 
Yorktown, the man of the Marne. \Ye celebrate American 
victory and French victory, but above all the victory of Liberty. 

Since years and years, we all knew in France that you, Ameri- 
cans, and we. Frenchmen, had many things in common ; the 
same spirit of Liberty, the same love for Democracy, the same 
colors of the flag. But today we know that there is something 
more. There is the same heart beating for the same cause. 
P'or that cause your boys are giving their blood, the pure blood 
of a free people and our men are giving their blood, the pure 
blood of an unsubjected people. This makes between you and 
us a link which will never be broken. 

You know against what we are fighting: It is Germanism 
and you know what is Germanism. 

Germanism, it is von Bethmann-Hollweg, coming on the 
fourth of August, before the German reichstag — that is before 
the German nation — and roughly saying : "Yes, it is true that our 
troops are now invading Belgium and that it is against inter- 
national law. But we are in necessity and necessity knows no 
law." 

Germanism, it is the Kaiser issuing in 1914 four declarations 
of war in three days and exclaiming in 1918: "God knows what 
I have not done to prevent such a war." 

Germanism in Roumania. 

Germanism is von Kuehlmann, imposing on the Roumanians 
a treaty which wrests from Roumania 15,000 square miles of 
territory with 800,000 inhabitants, at the same time that it takes 
away from Roumania all the wheat, all the oil, and declaring to 
the reichstag: "What characterizes the treaty of Bucharest is 

108 



Address by Stephane Lausanne 

that it is a treaty without annexations and without indemnities." 

Germanism, it is all the hypocrisy, all the wickedness, all the 
i'rightfulness, that we meet in the world. 

Germanism, it is all the horrors, all the atrocities, all the 
crimes that we have witnessed in this war. 

The other Huns, the predecessors of the Huns of today, when 
several centuries ago they invaded France, they at least showed 
some pity. They spared a town, the French town of Troyes, in 
Champagne, at the request of the bishop of the town. But the 
Huns of today they have spared nothing; they have killed old 
men, they have killed women, they have even killed trees, so 
great was their lust for killing. 

I remember when I was on the front before Verdun in the 
trenches. I remember graves on which I could read the names 
and the inscriptions of the men lying in the graves, and under 
one name these two lines: "Shot down at the age of 83 by the 
Germans." Yes, men shot down at the age of 83! We have 
seen all that in France. We have seen other things. We have 
^.een our women and children deported and enslaved; we have 
seen our cathedrals and our monuments destroyed ; we have seen 
our cities and our villages burnt to the ground. 

And it is because we have seen all that, it is because we have 
suffered all that, that we say today that this is not an ordinary 
war, but that it is a holy war, in which all the Christian world 
must join. It is because we have seen all that and suffered all that 
that we say today we are not fighting against a nation, or against a 
race, or against a creed, but that we are fighting against perjury, 
against corruption, against the power itself of evil. 

The Spirit of France. 

You know also how we have waged this war. We have 
waged it with all our heart, with all our courage, with all our 
determination. We are waging it with our men, with our 
women, with our children ; as regards the men, I have lived with 
them, side by side, during the months which were perhaps the 
most tragic, but also the most magificent of all my life; and, 
when today I speak of my men, I cannot do better than to repeat 

109 



Lafayette Day in Milwaukee 

what our commander-in-chief, Gen. Petain, said a few weeks 
ago: "Don't mention us, the officers, the generals. Mention only 
the men ; we have done i;iothing. The men have done every- 
thing; the men have been admirable. We, the chiefs, can only 
kneel down before them." 

I think that they have been admirable. Never has their 
morale been better, never has their fighting spirit flamed forth 
more ardent and more pure. And, believe me, my friends, it is 
with the morale, it is with the spirit, as much as with material 
and with guns, that today you win a battle. When, three 
months ago, they were retreating toward Amiens and Paris, we 
knew that we could say: "Their bodies are falling back, but not 
their hearts." And, when, today, we see them advancing, hand 
in hand with their American brothers, Ave know that we can 
say: "They shall pass." 

Yes, they shall pass and they know why they are fighting. 
You know it, too. They are not fighting for money or for 
domination or for new territories. They are fighting for some- 
thing which is much higher. They are fighting for the very right 
thing for which you, in this country, you have fought and suf- 
fered, battled and bled, in the past — for an ideal. 

To Restore Spirit of Liberty. 

Our ideal is to restore in Europe a spirit of liberty, of human- 
ity, but above all, of respect for international law. That spirit 
will be restored only when the other spirit, the spirit of brutality, 
of aggression, of domination will have been extirpated from 
Europe. That other spirit is symbolized by the Prussian 
militarism, the Prussian militarism must go. It shall go when 
the Germans will realize that they are not the strongest, but 
the weakest ; when they wll realize that they have not to dictate 
terms of peace, but that they have to agree to terms of peace; 
when they will realize that they have to respect the 'indepen- 
dence and the liberty of every nation in Europe, great or small, 
strong or weak, as the supreme law of Europe and of the world. 
For that, we shall fight to the end. 

All our terms of Peace — all these terms of Peace about which 
there have been so many talks— blong to that Ideal. They 

no 



Address by Stephane Lausanne 

can be summed up in three words: Reparation, restitution, and 
guarantees. Reparation there cannot be for the cathedral of 
Rheims, for the slaughter of women and children, but there are 
some other things for which there can be reparation. Treasures 
of art have been taken away from all the museums of the north 
of France and of Belgium. They must come back. All the castles, 
all the residences of northern France and Belgium have been 
stripped of their tapestries, furniture and paintings. These must 
all come back. All the factories have been robbed of their 
equipment, their machinery, their pumps, their trucks. Other 
pumps and machinery must be put in place. All the great cities 
of Belgium and the north of France have been obliged to pay 
enormous indemnities of war to Germany. These indemnities 
amount to more than $1,000,000,000. This $1,000,000,000 must 
come back. No indemnities, quite so, we agree to that, but 
I)recisely because there must be no indemnities, all the indem- 
nities already extorted must be made good. 

Want Alsace-Lorraine. 

Just as we want reparation we want restitution. We want 
restitution of all the territories occupied by Germany and in 
France we cannot make any difference between the territories 
occupied since forty-seven months and the territories occupied 
since forty-seven years. We make no difference between the 
five departments forming the provinces of Champagne and 
rianders, and the five departments forming the provinces of 
Alsace and Lorraine. This is a question of right, and you cannot 
bargain with right. You have to hold on with right or you 
have to fall with it. 

Just as we Avant reparation and restitution, we want guaran- 
tees, and those are our terms of peace. I don't need to tell you 
I hat they are not the terms of peace of autocracy. Autocracy 
has not lost every hope. Autocracy has still the hope that 
having been unable to defeat us by the sword, it will be able 
to defeat us by words. Autocracy has found a new and powerful 
ally. It is anarchy, and this, my friends, is not the first time 
in the history of the world that we see autocracy and anarchy 
attempting to crush democracy, but to autocracy even talking 

III 



Lafayette Day in Philadelphia 

of peace, even helped by anarchy, we say today and we shall 
say tomorrow: "No, you have appealed to the guns. We'll let 
the guns speak." Those guns are speaking magificently today 
and they will speak still better in a few days when all the 
American boys will be behind them. We are winning, my 
friendSj we are winning. 

A year ago when JolTre and Viviani visited the United 
States they were received in a great university of the middle 
west and the president of that university, in greeting them, said : 
"We are brothers in the same cause. For that cause we shall 
give our last man and our last heart-beat." Those were m.agni- 
ficent words and they should be carved in bronze. Yes, to the 
last man and the last beating of heart, so that free people may 
live free under the flag of liberty! To the last man and the last 
beating of heart, so that our children and the children of '-.ur 
children may live proud and happy and enjoy the blessings of 
the sunshine without having to fear the return of such horrors. 

To the last man and the last beating of heart, until victory 
is won! 

That victory will not be our victory, it will not be your 
victory; it will not be the victory of our Canadian or of our 
British brothers; it will not be the victory of any people. It 
will be the victory of an ideal, of the immortal ideal for which 
fought Lafayette and Washington, for which we all are fighting ; 
it will be the victory of Right of Justice, of Humanity and of 
Civilization. 



PHILADELPHIA, PA. 

Exercises were held at Independence Square, as also in the 
grand court of the Wanamaker store. A message more subtle 
than ever sped across the seas by wireless, passed invisibly and 
soundlessly between France and the United States, when the 
Lafayette-Washington flag was raised on the tower of Inde- 
pendence Hall. Simultaneously, a sister flag unloosed its folds 
from the tower of the Hotel de Ville in Paris, which flag was 
presented by the Lafayette Committee at Philadelphia to the 
City of Paris on the occasion of the celebration of Lafayette- 

112 



Lafayette Day in Philadelphia 

Marne Day last year. The stars in both flags are set in the 
wreath design of the first flag made by Betsy Ross, the stars 
representing the 13 original states. Messages were read from 
the President of France, Marshals Foch and Joffre, General 
Pershing, Vice-Admiral Sims and Ambassabor Sharp, all breath- 
ing the spirit of victory for the Allies, the messages of the 
French President and marshals in praise of American soldiers 
en the western front, and of the American General, Vice-Admiral 
and Ambassador, in praise of the valor of the French and 
British forces. 

The celebration in Independence Square was a combined 
naval, military and civil function, arranged by the Lafayette's 
Birthday Citizens' Committee, assisted by officials of the 10 
local societies comprising the French colony. 

Shortly before 2 o'clock, led by Doctor G. F. Giroud, the 
members of the societies in the French colony, carrying their 
flags and banners marched to the square from the French 
Consulate at No. 524 Walnut Street, where they were soon 
joined by the singing battalion of marines and 500 sailors from 
League Island Navy Yard. The marines and sailors marched 
separately from the yard, and each was headed by its own band. 

The chief orators of the day were Dr. Charles E. Sajous, of 
Philadelphia and Lieutenant R. d'Aigny, a descendant of 
Rochambeau. The Lieutenant had fought with his command 
until the last officer died and then had succeeded with a little 
machine gun battery in holding off 400 Germans until help 
arrived. Lieutenant d'Aigny was introduced as the "man who 
had fought 400 Germans alone." He wore the insignia of the 
19th Battalion, Chasseurs a pied, classed in France as "Blue 
Devils of the Marne." He also described the Battle of the Marne 
in which he participated and where he displayed extraordinary 
heroism. 

The "Singing Battalion" of the United States Marines, 500 
strong, paraded to the place of the ceremionies and led in song 
the surprisingly large crowd which had gathered. 

The Marine Corps Band from the navy yard made up of 
Kansas State College men sang camp favorites. Adjutant J. Camp- 
bell Gilmore, President of the Lafayette Citizens' Committee, pre- 

113 



■ Lafayette Day in Philadelphia 

sided- over the ceremonies and introduced the speakers and after 
announcing the object of -the. demenstration read the message from 
the'di'stingiiished French and American fighters and statesmen. 

Doctor Sajous, the first orator ' of the day reviewed in detail 
the life, achievement and sacrifices. of Lafayette. .Lieutenant 
. d'Aigny said in. effect: 

' "Had' it not'be^n- for the spirit of 'men iike Lafayette, 

.'■Krance-might 'well- have shrunk from the task which she 

froitited at the -^outbreak of -the war. .Remember .her sma;ll 

army, her inadequate equipment; then remember . how , she 

answered to Lafayette's own words : 

" 'Men- who' fight for' liberty must win.'" 

Daniel Donovane, the French .tenor, sang the "Marseillaise" in 
French and the "Star Spangled Banner" in English. The throng 
joined in the- latter, and as itwas'sun^ the flag in honor of Lafay- 
ette was- raised *to its' staff on the'tow^er. It \VdiS carried by twenty 
women of -the ladies of the American-French Club, of the city, at 
■ the' head ■^of< the French colony parade, ' attended by Miss Marion 
Reel, attired 'as ^'Golumbia,'"~'and 'two sailors from a French war- 
ship, Theophil CelHer and Leroy Joseph,' one carrying the Amer- 
ican, the other the French flag. 

Gabriel H. Moyer, retiring president of the P. O. S. of A., and 
City Statistician Edward J. Cattell were the other speakers. The 
flag was drawn to its staff by Charles W. Alexander and Acting 
French Consul Victor Fonteneau. 

The exercises in the court of Wanamaker's store ~was 'attended 
by 'the sailors' and marines of the na^y -yard. The "Singing Bat- 
talion" led the audience in patriotic songs. 

' A messa'ge ' from the French 'Ambassador, Jules J. Jusserand 
was read to the audience by Dr. Joseph Kossuth Dixon. "The •pro- 
gramme included the playing of the Marines March, "Semper 
Fidelis," by the bands from the Marine Corps and the Sailors' 
V.attalion, the band from the Wanamaker Commercial Institute 
and the grand organ. 

The "Marsellaise'' and the "Star Spangled Banner" were given, 
the former as a salute to the flag of France and the latter at the 
end of the programme which included a "Liberty Song" with the 
marine hymn and other numlx^r?, under Director Albert H."^Ho3ae. 

•'1 14 



Lafayette Day in Los Angeles 
LOS 'ANGELES, CAL. 

Here the. exercises, were in- charge of the Lafayette Society- 
©f California under the direction of Hfector Alliot, who arranged 
at fitting programme for the celebration .of the birthday of- 
Lafayette at Exposition -Park. - 

The Naval Reserve Band and the Oratorio -Society Choru.-- 
added the stimulous. of patriotic music. President Alliot read 
a. poem by Ernest McGaffey and cables from President Poin- 
care, Marshal Joffre, General Pershing and Ambassador Sharp. 
The- first speaker was John Baptiste Christain, a direct de- 
scendant" of Lafayette' who- alluded with moving pride'^ to his 
ancestor and what he stood for.' An' impressive ceremony was 
the flag-raising, commanded by Captain" France- of the G! A. R. 
with a detail of his comrades, the whole being preceded by the ■ 
playing of "America" by the- Naval Reserve Band- and- an- in- ■ 
vocation by Father; Johnson, of the. Navy... 

A delightful - symbohc tableau-, was.. that.> of. Miss. Helen 
Eyraud.aa the: tricolor with-Miss Rose Vergez as "Alsace." and 
Miss Louise Vergez as "Lorraine" while Miss Antoinette Bal- 
lade as "France," sang the. "Marseillaise." 

Louis Sentous, French Consul, gave, a comprehensive and--. 
stimulating ireview of the accomplishment of Lafayette, showing 
the wonderful scope .of his effort and. its direct application to the 
present conflict and this nation's devotion to the libert}'- of the 
world. His words evoked the warm response in the hearts of 
his hearers'. Judge. Benjamin. Franklin BeldDse followed in an 
impassioned appreciation- of Lafayette based on the eulogy given , 
by-John QuincyAdanrs in- 1834 which proved, to^be largely pro- 
phetic of the conditions- today. George S. Patton,.a descendant 
of Washington was then introduced.. He spoke on "American - 
Lafayette's" saying in- part :. "Any man.- who advocates, a peace. 
without a final victory or a peace not dictated, by the Allies is . 
a traitor to the country. Any pacifism- in America until we 
finally win would make all' that has been done in vain." 

Father Johnson concluded the speaking' with an appeal for • 
constant support of the war and a firm adherence to the Allies ; 
ke urged, a greater recognition of what the French nation hadl-: 

115.. 



Lafayette Day in Chicago. 

done and what Lafayette stood for in this struggle. At the 
close of the exercises the assembly sang the "Star Spangled 
Banner." 

Those in charge of the above programme were Doctor Alliot, 
Pierson W. Banning and General Charles Henry Whipple, 
U. S. A., retired, and the musical programme was directed by 
Maestro Edward Lebegott. 



CHICAGO, ILL. 

Lafayette Day was observed in Chicago at the United States 
Government Exposition, the day being known as "France and Allies 
Day". Edouard de Billy, Deputy High Commissioner of the French 
Republic was the speaker of the day. In his address which was 
devoted mainly to Lafayette, he said : 

"What Lafayette sowed in his valiant fighting during 
your Revolutionary War, France gloriously reaps today in 
the fighting equally valiant, of your men under General 
Pershing. 

"Both wars were struggles for liberty. This one, great- 
er in scope, extends to many more peoples and to more 
countries, and involves armies more powerful, but the es- 
sential principle is the same — freedom, for which your coun- 
try and my country stand." 

Mr. de Billy was introduced by Charles S. Hutchinson. He was 
followed by A. Barthelmy, Consul of France, to whose speech 
a response was made by Dean Shailer Matthews of the University 
of Chicago. Messages were read from President Poincare and 
Marshal Joffre. Miss Nannette Marchand and Miss Ruth Leslie, 
flanked by a soldier and a sailor sang the "Marseillaise" and the 
"Star Spangled Banner." 

At the same time, Mr. de Billy, on behalf of France, presented 
to the organized labor of Chicago one of the famous French 75's — 
A Marne veteran. 

A large reception was held at the Art Institute where over a 
thousand paintings from the brushes of French soldier artists were 
exhibited. The works were painted during rest periods and between 
service in the trenches. 

116 



Lafayette Day in Nezu Orleans, Portland, Little Rock 

NEW ORLEANS, LA. 

Governor Pleasant and Mayor Behrman issued official proclama- 
tions designating Lafayette Day as "Tag Day" of the Secours 
Louisianais a la France in celebration of the Lafayette-Marne an- 
niversary. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine organized a large parade in 
which three large bands featured in addition to the West End Naval 
Band and the Algiers Naval Band. The parade toured the business 
sections of the city. 



PORTLAND, OREGON. 

The life of Marquis de Lafayette and his influence in the 
American war of the Revolution, the Battle of the Marne and the 
reciprocation of America's debt to France in the present war, were 
rehearsed in story and essay by children of the schools in celebra- 
tion of Lafayette--Marne Day. 

At the grammar schools and at Franklin, Jefferson, Washing- 
ton and Lincoln High Schools the students observed the day with 
patriotic programs. 



LITTLE ROCK, ARK. 

A large audience joined in singing the French national hymn 
"Marseillaise", the opening number on the program at a celebration 
of Lafayette's Birthday at the Scottish Rite consistory. The song 
was led by the consistory choir and the exercises closed with the 
"Star Spangled Banner". Selections were given by the 162nd De- 
pot Brigade Band under the direction of Sergeant R. L. Lesem. 
Addresses were made by Major Happe of the French Mission ; 
]\Iajor Charles E. Taylor, Governor Brough and George A. Mc- 
Connell of the Four Minute Men. Fay Hempstead, chairman of 
the celebration, recited an original poem "To Lafayette", Mrs. H. A. 
Tune gave a solo selection of "Joan of Arc", an organ rendition of 
"America" vv'ith chimes accompaniment was particularly pleading 
as was a tableau representing Columbia honoring Lafayette. Guests 

117 



Lafayette'- Day in Nashville, Squirrel Island and Beaumont 

of the occasion were Colonel Miller of Camp Pike and members- 
of the French Mission. 



NASHVILLE, TENN. ' 

An interesting, and appropriate: program was given at the Court 
House in memory of Lafayette. under the"- Women's Committee of the 
Council of National Defense. The program included patriotic 
songs by the Liberty Chorus, vocal solos and duets, readings and a 
talk on "The Belgian Orphans" by the Rev. W. W. Akers and Pro- 
fessor R. K. Morgang^veaninterestmg talk^on Lafayette and our 
debt to France. The exercises closed with the singing of "America".. 



SQUIRREL ISLAND, MAINE. 

Lafayette Day. was observed here with- fitting exercises.- The 
islanders gathered at the Casina and opened the exercises bysing- 
ino- the" "Star Spangled Banner". This was followed. by the reading, 
of a poem on "Lafayette" by Mrs. John Oldham of Wellesley Hills, 
Mass. The audience sang "Rally Round the Flag" and Alexander 
Doyle sang the "Battle" Hymn of- the -Republic". An address was 
made by Daniel Stanwood of Augusta, regarding his experience with 
American boys who joined the British Army fighting for an ideal 
as Lafayette had'done here.a century or more ago. Miss Elsa Reed 
of New York City then ' sang the "Marseillaise". Dr. George S. 
Dickerman of New Haveri, Conn., made an interesting comparison- 
of the ideals of Lafayette and' Frederick the Great and the ideals that 
the armies are fighting for today. The exercises concluded withthe- 
singing" of "Am'erica'' by the- audi'en'ce.; 



BEAUMONT, TEXAS. 

The spirit of the gallant and liberty-loving Lafayette pervaded. 
Magnolia Park, when the Orphans of America sang for the Orphans. 

ii8 



" Lafayette Day in Cmcinnati 

of P>ance. The entire celebration was in charge of Garland S. 
Brickley, general manager of the Chamber of Commerce. The 
opening address was made by Major O. C. Giiessaz in command of 
troops stationed. at Beaumont. He paid a glo\ying tribute to the 
gallant Frenchman who came to.the-rescue of the American colonies 
and explained to .the people what a gigantic task . the Allies had 
undertaken but that .the r: strife must continue with all, the forces at 
command untih.Kaiserism- had been-.stamped from the , face of the 
earth. 

Alfred ■DuPerier, a descendant of-ihe French .colonists in Amer- 
ica, recounted the hardships through which the American army 
passed in 1776 in which they were joined by Lafayette. 

Mrs. W. G. Loveli, "mother" of the French war orphans adopted 
by Jefferson County, made a brief address describing the condi- 
tions which confrontedthe orphans Qf bleeding France and how 
necessary that sympathy for them should be crystalized into some 
concrete form. Community singing was, led by : Mr..; Brickley, and 
Tom J.'i^mb. 



■ "CINCINNATI; OHIO. 

While there was no general observance of Lafayette Day in 
Cincinnati, yet the simple but fitting ceremony at Fountain Square 
had a far-reaching effect. In the very simplicity of the ceremony 
lay its chief merit. The sounding of "Taps" (proclaimed by Major 
Calvin) has a significant meaning and when promptly at 5:30 the 
clarion- notes of the bugles sounded, the- hurrying crowd around 
"Fountain Square stopped, traffic was momentarily hushed and with 
bared heads the people stood until the notes of the bugles died/away. 

This was a fitting testimonial to thei memory of- the 'immortal 
Lafayette and the American boys who are fighting- in France. It 
was in keeping with the nature of 'this great patriot, .who.- when 
our country 'was in »peril, gave to us the strength of hiswisdom, his 
wealth and -courage so that this land should forever be free. The 
debt we owe to France is being paid and we are fighting in his be- 
loved land so that France and the world may have the freedom 
.that Lafayette helped us to gain. 

T 19 



Lafayette Day in Seattle, St. Paul and Richmond 

SEATTLE, WASH. 

Lafayette Day was fittingly observed by a program given in 
Douglas Hall under the auspices of "L'Union Francaise and Al- 
saciens-Lorrains. American, French and Belgian soldiers and sail- 
ors sang the "Marsiellaise" and the "Star Spangled Banner". Judge 
Thomas Burke, the chairman, introduced Judge Fred V. Brown, the 
principal speaker, in addition to which historical tableaux were 
presented by the women of L'Union Francaise and several songs 
sung by Mrs. Lida Schirmer, accompanied by Mrs. Ethel Wood 
Hildreth. 



ST. PAUL, MINN. 

A tableau was given at the Fair Grounds under the joint direc- 
tion of the St. Paul and Minneapolis Committee for the Fatherless 
Children of France. 

Miss Alica Forepaugh was in charge of the St. Paul Committee 
while Miss Mary Cutler of Minneapolis directed the tableaus. 



RICHMOND, VA. 

Impressive ceremonies were held in the auditorium of the John 
Marshall School when the flag was presented to the City of Rich- 
mond by August Simonpietri, Franch Consular Agent, on behalf 
of Ambassador Jusserand, as a material symbol of honor for the old 
dominion. Besides the address of the personal representative of 
Ambassador Jusserand, addresses were delivered by Mayor George 
Ainslie, Col. LeRoy Hodges and Captain Veissieres, a French Mili- 
tary Instructor at Camp Lee. Captain Veissieres chose as his topic 
"The Miracle of the Marne," while that of Col. LeRoy Hodges was 
on the Marquis de Lafayette. Mayor Ainslie gave an outline of the 
war activities of Richmond. William R. Meredith presided. 

120 



Lafayette Day in Indianapolis, Atlanta and Athens 
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. 

Thousands participated in the celebration of Lafayette-Marne 
Day at the monument circle under the auspices of the War Com- 
munity Service. The celebration was in the form of a community 
sing which opened with the singing of "America". The exercises 
closed with the singing of the "Marseillaise". Claris Adams made 
a short speech. 

The exercises were brief but filled with the deep appreciation and 
gratitude America feels toward France. 



ATLANTA, GA. 

The birthday of Lafayette was celebrated in Georgia in accord- 
ance with a proclamation by Governor Hugh N. Dorsey. Exer- 
cises were held at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, where military bands 
from Camps Gordon and Jessup furnished the music and the High 
School girls of the City sang the "Marseillaise". General Sage of 
Camp Gordon and representatives of the French and British armies 
were the guests of honor. 

The celebration was arranged by the Daughters of the American 
Revolution of which Mrs. Charles S. Rice is the regent. 

Major Riviers delivered an address on the Battle of the Marne 
and Doctor N. Ashby Jones on Lafayette. 



ATHENS, GA. 

Athens fittingly observed Lafayette-Marne Day at the Octagon 
on the University of Georgia Campus. A monster parade was held 
previous to the exercises in which the pupils of the public school, 
college students and citizens generally took part. The stage at the 
Octagon was artistically decorated with American and French f^ags 
and a picture of Lafayette was hung in the centre of the stage. 

Addresses were delivered by Judge Andrew H. Cobb, Lieutenant 
Andrew Uhlmann of the French Army and Lieutenant Walter 
Griffith. 

121 



Lafayette Day in Hartford, Berkeley and Jersey City 
HARTFORD, CONN. 

The celebration was given under the auspices of the Bridge- 
port War Bureau at Lafayette Park. The Faetana Band ren- 
dered appropriate selections while Miss Esther Berg sang the 
"Marceillaise." Attorney T. L. Cullinan and Hon. George W. 
Wheeler, chairman of the Executive Committee of the War Bu- 
reau presided, and Doctor John F. Coyle was the principal 
speaker. 

The Four Minute speakers paid tribute to the hero of France 
and the Battle of the Marne at all the theatres of the city. 



BERKELEY, CAL. 

Lafayette Day was observed by the University of California. 
The French flag was flown from the University flag pole, and 
the chimes of the Saher Tower played the Marseillaise. 



JERSEY CITY, N. J. 

A committee of lOO was organized for the celebration at La- 
fayette Park in Jersey City. A detachment of 150 French sail- 
ors participated. Tableaus were presented by the Elks' Club 
while the Police Quartet sang and Miss Adele Rankin gave a 
number of patriotic songs. Commissioner A. Harry Moore also 
succeeded in obtaining a number of short reel moving pictures 
of a patriotic nature which were shown between the tableaus 
and the singing. 



122 



Lafayette Day in Bayonne and Seattle 
BAYONNE, N. J. 

With a parade fully a mile long in which several thousand 
marchers took part Lafayette Day was appropriately observed 
in Bayonne. It was reviewed by Mayor Pierre P. Garben and 
Commissioners M. T. Cronin, Hugh A. Mara and Horris Rober- 
son along with Col. Arthur Orme. 

School Trustee Thomas Kernan, Alfred Beling, William Os- 
bahr and Harry Levy marched in the procession, as did J. T. R. 
Proctor, head of the Four-Minute Men, and Rev. Stephen Crock- 
ett, Rev. Ben Turner, G. G. Sleesmar and John J. Hickey, Four- 
Minute speakers. 

School Trustee Edward Zeller marched at the head of a com- 
pany of Home Guard men which he commands. 

Among the floats which attracted m.uch attention was one 
entitled "Joan of Arc," also several hundred Red Cross workers 
marched in line. 

Another feature of the Bayonne celebration was the dedica- 
tion of the Lafayette monument, at which Governor Edge and 
Captain Walter K. Harris were the principal speakers. Gov- 
ernor Edge briefly summed up the sacrifices Lafayette had made 
for America. He ended by voicing the following hope : 

"May the American defenders of France, as many of them 
as possible, live to return to the bosoms of their families and 
afterward to observe the fruits of their unstinted courage and 
generous patriotism. For this fruit will be world-wide de- 
mocracy, where Lafayette's was national democracy, and these 
defenders are showing themselves to be worthy of this heritage 
of Lafayette." 



SEATTLE, V7ASH. 

Lafayette Day was celebrated in Seattle by the staging of 
tableaus by the French organizations and Belgian Club of the 
City. Soldiers and sailors from Washington training camps as- 
sisted. The organizations participating were I'Union Francaise 
de Victoria, B. C, and the new Belgian Club. Mme. Isabelle 
Mack, president of I'Union Francaise was in charge of the cele- 
bration. 

123 



Lafayette Day in Albany, Buffalo and Auburn 
ALBANY, N. Y. 

The birthday of Lafayette and the Allied victory of the 
Marne were celebrated in the public schools at Albany, N. Y. 

Dr. Jones, Superintendent of Schools, requested all the prin- 
cipals to explain in the classrooms what Lafayette did, who he 
was and what the Battle of the Marne meant. Professor Pratt 
gave an informal talk at the High School on the same subject. 



BUFFALO, N. Y. 

Lafayette Day ws; celebrated by a rousing rally at Lafayette 
Square, which was named for the French hero. 

Capt. Hamilton Ward was the principal speaker and after 
sketching the debt of gratitude this country owes to Lafayette 
ended his talk by calling upon the people to buy war stamps 
in Lafayette Square on Lafayette Day as they had never done 
before. 

The orchestra played the Marseillaise and Charles L. Mache 
led the singing by the people. Mrs. Katherine Finnigan Molter 
delivered a stirring address. 



AUBURN, N. Y. 

Under the joint auspices of Cayuga County Historical So- 
ciety, Daughters of American Revolution, Chamber of Commerce 
and Home Defense Committee, Lafayette Day exercises were 
held at the High School Assembly Hall at Auburn. New York. 
The program was begun by the singing of the Star Spangled 
Banner and were presided over by the Rev. George B. Stewart, 
Chairman of the Home Defense Committee. Following the sing- 
ing, the allegiance to the flag was pledged at the entrance of the 
Allied flags. "America's Prayer." which was sung to the tune 
of "America," was next rendered by the entire assemblage, after 

124 



Lafayette Day in Auburn 

which Rev. Robert Hastings Nicols gave a comprehensive his- 
tory of the life of Marquis Lafayette. 

In introducing Mr. Nicols, Doctor Stewart said a few words 
about the hero of the day and also about the French people of 
to-day. He said Lafayette was a great man and a great prophet, 
and America may well be proud of celebrating his birthday. In 
touching upon present conditions Doctor Stewart said : The 
Battle of the Marne, the fourth anniversary of which was yes- 
terday, was a big issue in the war. It pronounced victory for 
the Allied cause, and it became apparent that the Huns would 
not eat their Christmas dinner of 1914 in Paris, and it also was 
decided that they should never eat a Christmas dinner in Paris. 

Mr. Nicols sketched the life of Lafayette with many inter- 
esting details, concluding as follows : 

"He won his place in the world by his unselfish devotion 
to an ideal, and his name will always live in the hearts and 
minds of Americans." 

Doctor Stewart then read a telegram of good-wishes from 
Ambassador Jusserand as follows : 

"The spirit of Washington and the spirit of Lafayette 
are still with us. They inspire their descendants who will 
win the day as they themselves did in their time." 

The guests of honor were French naval petty officers. 

One of the sailors sang the Marseillaise in French after which 
Second Mate Albert Raymond made an address in his native 
tongue, a translation of which is as follows : 

"In the name of the French people we thank you for 
this splendid reception of our men. This day reminds us 
of the great day when Lafayette came to this country in 
1776, and it also reminds us of the wonderful day when 
the first American troops landed on French soil in 191 7. 
After three years of hardships and suffering the weary 
French have seen America come into the struggle and it 
gives them new courage to go on. While the Arnericans 
are helping abroad, the people at home are sacrificing that 
the French people may have food to eat, and shortly the 
great cause for right and liberty will be won. While 

125 



Lafayette Day in Auburn 
Lafayette Day in Stamford 

America did not forget the help received in 1776, the 
French of today will never forget the help given by the 
United States in 1917." 

A solo, "Lafayette, I Hear You Calling Me," was then sung 
by Mrs. William A. Aiken after which General Lafayette's visit to 
Auburn in 1825 was described by the Rev. John Quincy Adams. 

The Lafayette Committee in charge was as follows : 

Charles G. Adams, chairman ; Hon. Mark L Koon, Dr. George 
B. Stewart, Capt. Harry B. Kidney, Henry D. Hervey, Miss 
Annette Tilden, Miss Florence M. Webster, Miss Julia C. Ferris, 
Mrs. Albert H. Clark, E. H. Gohl, John Van Sickle, H. D. Titus, 
Mr. and Mrs. Jules Meyland, Mrs. Thomas M. Hunt, Mrs. Mar- 
cella Malcolm, Stephen Hurish, Dominic Jaia, Tony Oropallo, 
Col. Edgar S. Mosher, Capt. Sidney J. Aubin, John F. McGrath, 
George B. Turner, William T. Gallt, Dr. Robert Nichols, Capt. 
A. H. Jones. 

Grand Marshal of the Day, Col. Edgar S. Mosher with the 
following aides: Capt. Sidney J. Aubin, Capt. A. H. Jones, 
Courtney C. Avery, Jules Meyland, Mrs. Marcella Malcolm and 
assistants. 

Quartette — Mrs. William A. Aiken, soprano ; Mrs. F. W. 
Shaver, contralto ; A. L. Hemingway, tenor ; Charles G. Adams, 
basso ; William H. Adams, pianist. • 

Ushers — Elbert C. Wixon, John C. O'Brien, Porter Beards- 
ley, Eugene C. Donovan, George E. Snyder, Fred B. Wills. 



STAMFORD, CONN. 

The Lafayette-Marne Day celebration held at Stamford, Conn, 
under the auspices of the Stamford Vigilance Corps of the Ameri- 
can Defense Society is worthy of special note. From reports and 
photographs of the fete, the Stamford celebration was unquestion- 
ably among the most elaborate and artistic held in the country. The 
celebration was under the direction of Mr. Arthur W. Cabot, 

126 



Lafayc'tte Day in Stamford, Conn. 

president of the Stamford Vigilance Corps. He secured the en- 
dorsement and support of Mayor John Treat, who later issued a 
proclamation to the citizens of Stamford officially announcing the 
fete which was held in the evening. The Mayor also appointed an 
adjunct Lafayette Committee of citizens to assist Mr. Cabot and 
among other local organizations co-operating in the celebration were 
the Daughters of the American Revolution, Stamford Historical 
Society, the Shubert Club and the Women's Club. The celebration 
took the form of a street pageant symbolical in character with the 
participants in costume representing various nationalities and eras. 
The exercises which followed were extremely artistic and of his- 
torical value. 



127 



American Defense Society Meetings 

AMERICAN DEFENSE SOCIETY MEETINGS. 

Vigilance Committees of the American Defense Society held or 
participated in celebrations on Lafayette Day, September 6th, 1918, 
of the anniversary of Lafayette and the Marne in the following 
named cities of a total of 201, representing 43 states and the District 
of Columbia: 



Alabama 
Montgomery 

Arkansas 
Little Rock 

California 
Los Angeles 
San Jose 
Sacramento 
Oakland 
San Francisco 
Berkeley 
Stockton 
Martinez 
Hanford 

Colorado 
Denver 

Connecticut 
Stamford 
Meridan 
New London 
JJew Haven 
Hartford 



Kansas 



Delaware 



Wilmington 

Florida 
Jacksonviile 
Tampa 
Gainesville 

Georyia 
Riseville 
Atlanta 
Rome 

Albany Buelin 
Albany 
Buelin 
Savannah 
Augusta 
Dublin 

Idahn. 



Rockford 

Decatur 

Peoria 

Chicag'o 

Quiney 



Indianapolis 
Evansville 
Ft. Wavne 



Indiana 



Ft. Dodge 
Des Moines 
Cedar Rapids 
Webster City 
Owni Rapid* 



low* 



Huntington 
Topeka 



Kentucky 
Louisville 
Paducah 

Louisiana 
Shreveport 
Alexandria 
New Orleans 
Crowley 



Portland 



Maine 



Maryland 



Baltimore 
Frederick 

Masstuhusetts 
Worcester 
Beverly 
Boston 
Lynn 

New Bedford 
Taunton 
Fall River 
Lowell 
Haverhill 
Westfield 
Gloucester 
Attleboro 



Detroit 
Bay City 



Michigan 



St. Paul 

St. Cloud 

Rocliester 

Mankato 

Winona 

Madison 



Minnesota 



Vieksbui'E 



M ifsissippi 



Carthage 
Kansas City 
St. Louis 
Hannibal 
Jackson 
Spingfield 



Missouri 



Havre 
Missoula 



York 

Omaha 

Lincoln 



Montana 



yebr(rs':a 



Reno 

lonopah 
Lincoln 



Nevada 



New Hampshire 
Manchester 

New Jersey 
Atlantic City 
Trenton 
Hoboken 
Weehawken 
Asbury Park 
Newark 
Camden 
Elizabeth 
Bridgeton 
Perth Amboy 
Bayonne 
Jersey City 

New Mexico 
Albuquerque 
Santa Fee 
E. Las Vegro 

New York 
New York City 
Brooklyn 
\\'atertown 
Rome 

Mt. Vernon 
White Plains 
Jamestown 
Hornell 

Niagara Falls 
Syracuse 
Ithaca 
iliddietown 
Rochester 
Troy 
Lockport 
Yonkers 
Auburn 
Poughkeepsie 
New Rochelle 
Bronx 
Glens Falls 
Tonawanda 
Ballston Spa 
Utica 
Buffalo 
Batavia 

North Carolina 
Charlotte 
Wilmington 
Greensboro 

North Dakota 
New Rockford 
Bismark 
Fargo 



128 



American Defense Society Meetings 



Canton 

Youngf-to^m 

Columbus 

Cincinnati 

Dayton 

Urbana 

Mansfield 

Tiffin 



Ohio 



Tulsa 
Muskogee 



Ol'lahoma 



Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia 

Reading 

Pittbburg 

Jlorristown 

MeiKphis 

Pottsville 

Altoona 

Roanoke 

Kazelton 

VV'ilkes-Barre 

Uoyiestown 

Vnioutown 

Erie 

Lancaster 

Easton 

\\'ashington 

Cambridge Springs 



Rhode Island 

Pro^-idenre 

S»uth Carolina 
Columbia 

South Dakota 
Sioux Fails 
Mitchell 
Vorkton 
Lead 



Memphis 
Lafayette 
Kahiivilie 
Knoxvilie 
Bristol 



Beaumont 

El Paso 

Calveston 

Dallas 

Houston 

Austin 

it. Worth 



Ogden 



Tennessee 



Texas 



Utah 



Virginia 
Richmond 
Lynchburg 
Petersburg 
Leesburg 
Harrisonburg 



Washinyton 



Seattle 



West Virginia 



V.'heeling 
Bloomfield 

Wisconsin 

Milwaukee 

Beioit 

Madison 

Green Bay 

Plymouth 

Sparta 

Superior 

Platteville 

Sheboygen 

Athens 

Marinette 

Dist. oj Colvmbia 
Washington 



In the following named cities numbering 74, branches of the 
Women's Committee of the American Defense Society held celebra- 
tions on Lafayette Day of the anniversary of Lafayette and the 
Marne : 



Donaldionville, La. 
Freeiand, Pa. 
El Dorado Springs, Mo. 
Janesville, Wis. 
Forsyth, Mont. 
Riverton, Wyo. 
Doylestown, Pa. 
Leechburg, Pa. 
Brookings, Ind. 
Weiser, Idaho 
Afton, Wyo. 
American Fork, L^tah 
Sac City, Iowa 
Blackstone, Va. 
Norfolk, Neb. 
Aurora, Ind. 
Ellis, Kans. 
Croswell, Mich. 
Sugar City, Colo. 
Livingston, Mont. 
Willsboro, N. Y. 
Waquoketa, Iowa 
Ely, Nev. 

Saint George, Utah 
Ogdensburg, N. Y. 



Chinook, Mont. 
Veedersburg, Ind. 
Lincoln, Kans. 
Muskogee, Okla. 
Whitesboro, Texas 
Salisbury, Md. 
Grenada, Miss. 
Towanda, Pa. 
Hoopestou, 111. 
Camden, Ohio 
Lebanon, N. J. 
Alameda, Calif. 
Lake Okabogi, Iowa 
Cloquet, ilinn. 
Vancouver, Wash. 
Sheboygan, Wis. 
W ilmington, IIL 
Cambridge Springs, Pa. 
Apaiachic-ola, Fla. 
Blowing Rock, N. C. 
Au Sable Forks, N. Y. 
Colusa, Calif. 
Wymore, Nebr. 
Wichita Falls, Te.x. 
>iampa, Idaho 



Summerville, S. C. 
Lafayette, R. I. 
Spokane, Wash. 
Lublin, Ga. 
Fernandina, Fla. 
Monessen, Pa. 
Grafton, N. D. 
Morgan City, La. 
Somerviile, N. J. 
Riverside, R. I. 
Harriman, Tenn. 
Clinton, Okla. 
Ivorth Bend, Ore 
Rupert, Idaho 
Davenport, Wash 
New Hartford, Conn. 
Bishop, Calif. 
Jacksonville, Fla 
Burley, Idaho 
Hackensack, N. J 
Milford, 
Seaside, Ore. 
Charlestown, W. Va. 



129 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 
LAFAYETTE DAY IN THE CAMPS 

CAMP BEAUREGARD, LOUISIANA 

A mass meeting for white troops'was held at the camp, Chap- 
lain Clifton R. Miller, Fifth Infantry, presiding. The Fifth In- 
fantry Band rendered the music. A prayer was said by Chaplain 
Thomas L. Kelly, while the Liberty Quartet rendered some se- 
lections. Mass singing was led by Mr. Frank R. Hancock, and 
an address made by H. H. White of Alexandria. The cere- 
monies closed with the singing of "America." 

At the Base Hospital the presiding officer was Major Donald 
J. Frick. The prayer was led by Chaplain Stephen R. Wood, 
while the 29th Infantry Band furnished the music. Mass sing- 
ing was led by Mr. W. G. Klingman and an address given by 
Norman Brighton. These ceremonies also closed with the sing- 
ing of "America." 

A meeting was also held in the quarantine enclosure by 
Company K, Development Battalion, where Lieut. F. P. Robin- 
son presided. Chaplain Gee opened with prayer and the Liberty 
Quartet sang. The address was made by Norman Brighton. 

The Labor Battalion held its exercises with Capt. Newman 
Smith, presiding. Mass singing was led by Rev. Davis of Alex- 
andria, while the colored Male Glee Club rendered some appro- 
priate music. The speaker was Rev. J- R. Campbell, of Alex- 
andria, and an added musical entertainment that of a quartet of 
colored negro soldiers. 



CAMP JOHNSON, FLORIDA 

The soldiers were gathered around the bandstand where the 
"The Star Spangled Banner" and "Marseillaise" were played, 
while the commanding officer made appropriate remarks in com- 
memoration of the Birthday of Lafayette and the Battle of the 
Marne. Owing to the unfavorable weather, the exercises were 
very brief. 

130 



■ Lafayette Day in the Camps 
CAMP KEARNEY, CALIFORNIA 

The troops were paraded by regiment at retreat. Retreat 
was .sounded and the troops being at attention, the "Marseil- 
laise" followed by the "Star Spangled Banner" were played. 

The following sketch on the Life of Lafayette was then read : 

The Marquis de Lafayette 

We hear continually, patriotic men of affairs who are sacri- 
ficing time, money and opportunity to serve not their country 
alone but the whole world. Today we commemorate the birth 
of one of the greatest patriots the world ever knew ; one who 
sacrificed position, wealth, youth and royal favor to help make 
democracy a fact and not a dream in the world. 

The Marquis de Lafayette was born September 6th, 1757, in 
Auvergne, known as the Siberia of France. At the age of thir- 
teen he was left an orphan, inheriting a vast fortune. As be- 
tween the life of a courtier and soldier, he chose the latter, sub- 
jecting himself to the severest training. The thoroughness of 
his education may be shown in an incident of his youth ; a dif- 
ference of opinion arose at school as to the exact position of the 
Athenians and the Persians in the Battle of Plataea. Lafayette 
set out to find out whether he was right or not in his opinion, 
and actually went on foot to Marseilles and from there sailed 
as cabin boy to Greece, Alexandria and Constantinople. At the 
latter city a French consul caught the young investigator and 
sent him home. 

When scarcely eighteen years of age, while captain of the 
dragoons at the French garrison of Metz, the struggles of the 
thirteen colonies came to Lafayette's notice, and to quote his 
own words, "such glorious cause had never before attracted the 
attention of mankind ; it was the last struggle of Liberty, and 
had she then been vanquished, neither hope nor asylum would 
have remained for her. The oppressors and oppressed were to 
receive a powerful lesson ; the great work was to be accom- 
plished, or the rights of humanity were to fall beneath its ruins. 
When I first learned of this quarrel, my heart espoused Avarmly 
the cause of Liberty, and I thought of nothing but of adding 

131 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

also the aid of my banner. * * * j ventured to adopt for a 
device on my arms these words "Cur non?" (Why not), that 
they might equally serve as an encouragement to myself and a 
reply to others." 

Then it w^as that the first expeditionary force sailed not to 
France, but from France. In the spring of 1757, Lafayette 
bought and secretly equipped a vessel named the Victory, to 
carry himself and a dozen other officers across the Atlantic. 
After a seven weeks' voyage, they landed near Charlestown, and 
a tedious journey of nine hundred miles awaited them. Arriving 
in Philadelphia, the seat of the government at that time, they 
presented their credentials. At first Congress did not wholly 
believe in the disinterested motives of men who had endured 
untold hardships to help an unknown people, but determined to 
gain a hearing, Lafayette wrote asking two favors of Congress : 
"One is that I may serve without pay, at my own expense ; the 
other that I may be allowed to serve at first as a volunteer." This 
amazing ofifer secured attention. Immediately the services so 
generously tendered were accepted and the rank of Major Gen- 
eral was granted the young Frenchman. 

And young man he certainly was, so young that he would 
have missed our draft of the past year. His twentieth birthda\' 
was celebrated six months after he set sail from France, and yet 
General Washington addressing Congress concerning the titled 
volunteer, wrote as follows : "It is my opinion that the com- 
mand of troops in that State cannot be in better hands than the 
Marquis'. He possesses uncommon military talents, is of a 
quick and sound judgment, persevering and enterprising, with- 
out rashness, and beside these, he is of a conciliating temper and 
perfectly sober, which are qualities that rarely combine in the 
same person. And were I to add that some men will gain as 
much experience in the course of three or four years as some 
others will in ten or a dozen, you cannot deny the fact and at- 
tack me on that ground." On this recommedation Lafayette wa-=; 
appointed to comm.and a division, and served with the interrup- 
tion of one trip to France, till the close of the war. 

Thus, it was, (to quote Ambassador Van Dyke), "that Amer- 
ica enrolled in the imperishable cause of T,iberty a m.ost noble, 

132 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

perfect knight, a man so brave that when he was wounded at 
Brandywine he fought with the blood running out of his boots ; 
a man so devoted that he refused the absolute command of an 
army to invade Canada, because he detected in the offer a cabal 
against his chief ; a man so unselfish that he resigned the leader- 
ship of the troops to another at Monmouth without a murmur, 
because his chief wished it, a man so courteous that he neither 
took nor gave ofifense * * * ^ jjjj^j^ gQ steadfast that he 
never relaxed his efforts until the alliance between France and 
America bore full fruit in the presence of the French fleet and 
the French Army under Rochambeau at Yorktown, and then a 
man so high minded that he would not advance to crush Corn- 
wallis until Washington was present to command the final vic- 
tory." 

When Lafayette appeared the colonies had been bled almost 
white, a succession of defeats ; (again to quote his own words) : 
"New York, Long Island, "NA'^hite Plains, Fort AVashington, and 
the Jerseys had seen the American forces successively destroyed, 
three thousand Americans alone remained in arms." With La- 
fayette's help we won. 

A year ago General Pershing placed a wreath on the tomb 
of Lafayette in the Picpus Cemetery in Paris, and the three 
words spoken by him on that occasion, "Lafayette nous voila" 
(Lafayette we are here), may fittingly be repeated today. We 
are in France and there our armies shall remain until Lafayette's 
country is made safe for democracy. 



CAMP WHEELER, GEORGIA 

The brief formal exercises were held in the grove at Division 
Hc:adquarters, which were followed by an informal smoker. 
Music was furnished by the bands of the 122nd and 124th Infan- 
try Regiments. The soldiers encamped at Camp Wheeler are 
known as the "Dixie Division," commanded by Major General 
Leroy S. Lyon, who made a fevv^ remarks appropriate to the oc- 
casion. Addresses were made by Brig. Gen. W. A. Harris, on 
"General Lafayette," and Capt. Masson-Forrestier, of the French 
Military Mission, on "The Battle of the Marne." The exercises 
closed with the singing of "The Marseillaise." 

133 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

CAMP GORDON, GEORGIA 

This camp is an infantry replacement and training school, 
where intensive training is essential to accomplish the mission of 
training men for active duty abroad in the shortest practicable 
time. However, in spite of the fact that there was little time to give 
to celebrations, Lafayette Day was not overlooked. The "Mar- 
seillaise" was sung and the birthday of Lafayette honored. 



CAMP JACKSON, COLUMBIA, S. C. 

Lafayette Day was celebrated in the camp on a large scale. 
Advantage was taken of this day to celebrate at the same time 
the recent naturalization of more than 2,000 soldiers of 44 differ- 
ent nationalities. 

The auditorium of the Y. M. C. A. was taxed to its capacity 
with soldiers and civilians, featured by the attendance of Gov- 
ernor Manning, General Danford and other civilian and military 
dignitaries, inspiring music and ceremonies appropriate to the 
occasion. The two-hour program held the interest of the audi- 
ence throughout and was frequently interrupted by applause and 
cheers. 

General Danford in his address reviewed the career of La- 
fayette, referring to the debt which the United States owes to 
France, and emphasized his pride in his men who have come 
from almost every country in the world to help the United 
States repay this indebtedness and help make the world safe for 
democracy. "When I go about the camp and watch the troops 
at drill," said General Danford, *T am not so much interested in 
seeing whether they do their 'one-two, one-two' exercises ex- 
actly right, but I am vitally concerned in watching their faces 
and the determination that I see reflected there. It is the spirit 
they show which has been characterized by Premier Clemenceau 
as 'peculiarly American,' the spirit which the Germans have all 
learned to fear. And at night when I hear singing here and 
there and everywhere throughout the camp and remember this 
determination exhibited in the day and the wonderful morale 
indicated by their songs I know that this war must end in one 
way and in one way only." 

134 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

Governor Manning complimented the soldiers of Camp Jack- 
son upon their snap and "pep." He said he had heard that the 
salute was the index of a soldier and he knew from the way the 
Camp Jackson men came up to a salute that they were indeed 
a wonderful body of troops. He paid tribute to the bravery of 
the British, French, Italians and other allies, recalling how they 
had fought the world's battles for three years until the United 
States had reached the limit of human endurance and gone to 
their aid. He emphasized the fact that there must be no negoti- 
ated peace in which the lying diplomats of Germany would have 
the least opportunity to dictate to the Allies in any way because 
of the fact that an armistice had been declared or an undecided 
issue was at hand. 

"We are a,ll starting now to pay back to the French what 
they did for the American colonies more than lOO years ago," 
continued Governor Manning. "The United States should not 
lend a few paltry millions or billions to France, but we should 
give these billions to them as a part payment of our immemorial 
debt to that great nation. I understand now why Pershing, 
when he approached the grave of Lafayette, said : "Lafayette, 
we are here." 

Under the direction of William AIcEwan, camp song leader, 
the audience sang "America" and "The Star Spangled Banner." 
Representatives of the French, British, Italian and Greek sol- 
diers naturalized during August sang their national anthems. 
One of the features of the program was the ceremony of pinning 
small silk American flags on the blouses of the 2,000 soldiers 
recently naturalized, conducted by 60 nurses from the base hos- 
pital and 20 young ladies from Columbia, under the leadership 
of Miss Frances Pender. As they left the rostrum Governor 
Manning, General Danford, members of the French Visiting 
Commission and the other guests were similarly decorated by 
Miss Walsh of the base hospital 

William Carl Lafayette of the Ninth Regiment, F. A. R. D., 
a direct descendant of the Marquis de Lafayette, was called from 
the audience and expressed his appreciation of the opportunity 
to fight for the two countries which his distinguished ancestor 
had served. 



I •, 



00 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 
CAMP CUSTER, iMICHIGAN 

In commemoration of the double anniversary of the birth of 
Lafayette and the Battle of the Marne the following exercise? 
took place in the camp. 

At 2 P. M, Deputy Secretary of the State of Michigan, 
George L. Lusk made an address, as also Judge H. Wirt New- 
kirk, of Ann Harbor. 

At 4 P. M. Joseph L. Hooper of Battle Creek, Michigan, 
spoke, as also H. L. Stuart, Y. M. C. A. of Chicago, who has 
been overseas. 

All ofificers and enlisted men attended, companies were 
marched to the assigned places of assembly by their sergeant, 
and arranged around the speakers' platform. 



CAMP HANCOCK, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 

In the presence of Brig. Gen. Oliver Edwards, camp com- 
mander, his stafT, the French and British Military Missions and 
a large attendance of civilians, the officers and enlisted men from 
the companies of the seven groups and the 3,000 students of the 
Central Machine Gun Officer's Training School passed in re- 
view at the camp. 

The parade started at 9 A. M. The men formed in platoons 
and preceded by the band and the commanding officers of each 
grcHip marched past the Commanding General and reviewing 
party. 

The tri-colors were repeatedly cheered by the soldiers and 
civilians who witnessed the spectacle. A large assemblage of 
ladies were also present. 

At 6 o'clock the Augusta chapter of the Daughters of the 
American Revolution tendered a reception at Meadow Garden, 
to th.e members of the French Mission at Camp Hancock. The 
honor guests also included the commanding officers at the camp, 
General Oliver Edwards and his staff, the members of the Eng- 

136 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

lish Mission who are here as special instructors, Mrs. L. S. 
Arrington, local chairman National Council of Defense ; Mrs. 
John N. Clark, president of the U. D. C. ; Mrs. Isabella Jordan, 
president Colonial Dames ; Mrs. James F. Wood, State regent 
of the D. A. R., and the members of the local chapter D. A. R. 
The band from headquarters furnished the music. 



CAMP UPTON, NEW YORK 

The French National Flag was hoisted at Camp Headquar- 
ters at noon, at which time the French National Air was played 
by the i52d Depot Brigade Band. 



CAMP DIX, NEW. JERSEY 

The total strength of the camp at this time was about 50,000 
men. Every organization large or small held some form of 
ceremony in commemoration of the day. A general celebration 
could not be held on account of troop movements in and out of 
camp. 

The ceremony of escort to the color was held by the 136th 
Infantry Regiment at 11 A. M. Capt. M. Clavel, of the French 
Military Mission, as also the Non-Commissioned Officer person- 
nel of the French Military Mission were the guests of honor of 
the Commanding Officer. The Division Commander and his 
stafif, all Field Officers and members of the British Military Mis- 
sion, as representatives of our Allies at the Battle of the Marne, 
were also present. 

The 34th Division, then just arriving from the West, held 
a regimental review and escort to the colors. The review was 
received by the Senior French Officer present and by the French 
and British instructors on duty in the camp. 

The 109th Engineers formed under arms at usual place of 

^Z7 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

assembly. The Commander delivered a short address on Lafay- 
ette, while the Regimental Band played the "Marseillaise." 

Casual Detachment, 153d Depot Brigade: The members of 
tlie Casual Detachment were assembled and a suitable talk on 
the subject of "Lafayette" and the "Battle of the Marne" was 
made by the Detachment Commander. 

The Commissioned and enlisted personnel of the Sub-Depot 
Quartermaster were assembled at Y. M. C. A. Hut No. 9 at 
6:15 P. M. where suitable ceremonies were held under the 
auspices of the Y. M. C. A. Secretary Smith made an address 
outlined the history of Lafayette in relation to his devotion to 
this country ; he also gave a brief talk on the Battle of the Marne 
;n 191 4. The Conservation and Reclamation Detachment also 
attended these ceremonies. 

At the Base Hospital the ceremonies were opened with songs 
by the soldiers. A brief introductory address relating to the na- 
ture of the celebration and its significance was made by Lieut. 
R. T. Fox, Commander of the Detachment. Vocal and instru- 
mental selections were given by Y. M. C. A. talent. An address 
was also made by Mr. J. J. Edwards who has just returned from 
France. The exercises closed Avitli the singing of "America" 
by the soldiers. 

Capt. F. E. Werntz gave his officers and men of the Camp 
Ordnance Depot a talk on the subject of the Birthday of Lafay- 
ette and the Battle of the Marne. 

The ceremony held by the 8iith Pioneer Infantry consisted 
in an explanation of the great obligation which this nation has 
been under to the French people, that Lafayette and Rocham- 
beau were among the generals sent us by France, and that it 
was in great part due to their efforts and other Frenchmen that 
the independence of our country was made possible. 

The men of the Utilities Co., Q. M. C, assembled and the life 
of Major General de Lafayette and his invaluable aid to the 
LTnited States during the Revolutionary War was reviewed. 
The Battle of the ATarne was described and the ravages of the 
"Hun" forcibly impressed upon the men. 

The 407th Engineer Sub-Depot were given a lecture, em- 

138 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

phasis being laid on the distinguishing features of the Battle of 
the Marne and the aid secured through the efforts of Lafayette. 

The 153rd Depot Brigade, Headquarters Company, were 
given a banquet. The Headquarters Band rendered several se- 
lections and appropriate remarks w^ere made. 

Headquarters First Training Battalion, 153d Depot Brigade: 
This Battalion was form.ed on Sept. 6th in a hollow square ac- 
companied b}' a band on the parade grounds East of 3rd Street. 
The French and United States national airs were played and 
respects given thereto and an address was made to the men of 
this organization by Capt. J. H. M. Dudley upon the life and 
services to this country of Lafayette during the Revolutionary 
War, and the significance of the Battle of the Marne was ex- 
plained and the events leading thereto in connection with this 
anniversary. Headquarters 2nd Training Battalion, as also 
Companies 6 and 8, attended this celebration. The gth and loth 
Companies were addressed by Chaplain B. S. Levering and the 
nth and 12th Companies were addressed by Capt. H. J. Kim- 
ball. A special dinner was served in all the company messes 
following the addresses. 

Headquarters 4th Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade: Four Bat- 
talions, of approximately 3,000 men assembled in the Y. M. C. A. 
Auditorium, where a concert v^-as given by the Depot Brigade 
Band and patriotic songs sung by the entire assembly. A patri- 
otic address was made b}- Professor W. A. Mears of Philadel- 
phia and the "Marseillaise" was sung by Private Mutch, 15th 
Company. An address was also made by Sergeant Major Jones, 
of the British Mission, who took part in the Battle of the Marne. 
The ceremonies were closed with "There's a Long, Long Trail 
a Winding." 

Headquarters 7th Battalion: The battalion was assembled 
for a patriotic address by the Chaplain concerning Lafayette, 
while the Battalion Commander (Major H. N. Arnold) prefaced 
the parade by remarks concerning its significance. On parade, 
the Marseillaise" was played while officers and men saluted, im.- 
medlately before the playing of our national anthem. A special 
supper was served and in the evening the battalion orchestra 
played at the soldier's club. 

139 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

Headquarters loth Battalion: A program under the direction 
of Lieut. James N. Clinch, Inf., U. S. A. was observed. Patriotic 
songs were sung, including the "Marseillaise" and the "Star 
Spangled Banner." Lieut. R. M. McDonald and Sergeant 
O'Neill of the A. E. F. made addresses. An exhibition close or- 
der drill by overseas non-commissioned ofBcers, attached to 40th 
Company, was also given, Capt. J. F. Hanley, commanding. 

Headquarters 13th Training Battalion: Companies were 
formed for retreat at 4:50 P. M. and had read to them by Com- 
pany Commanders, extract from Vol. 2, "The American Revolu- 
tion," by John Fiske, concerning General Lafayette, and also an 
extract from "The Elements of the Great War," 2nd phrase, by 
Hillyar Belloc, concerning the Battle of the Marne. At the con- 
clusion of the reading of these extracts, retreat was sounded, and 
the Companies were held in formation during the playing of the 
"Marseillaise." 

Headquarters 14th Training Battalion: The Battalion was 
formed and the Company Commanders made appropriate ad- 
dresses. The boys then stood at retreat rendering the proper 
salute for the French National Anthem, 



CAMP MEADE, MARYLAND 

The Lafayette Division of the new and rapidly growing Amer- 
ican Army celebrated the anniversary of the Birth of Lafayette 
and the Battle of the Marne at Camp Meade. The tri-color flew 
by the side of the Stars and Stripes at several points in the camp. 
In the morning the soldiers practiced with rifles, bayonets and 
artillery to go to France at a later date on a mission which was 
similar to that which brought Lafayette to America. In the 
afternoon they laid aside their weapons and joined on Liberty 
Field in paying tribute to the great Frenchman whose feats 
made possible the writing of such interesting pages in American 
history. 

Senator Wesley L. Jones, U. S. Senator of the State of Wash- 

140 



Lafayette Day in the Camps 

ington, addressed the boys and told them about Lafayette. Forty 
thousand of these youths gathered on the big field to listen. 
Mingled with them were officers of the French Army who are 
here in an advisory capacity. An address was also delivered by 
Major General Jesse McI. Carter, Commander of the new divi- 
sion. In addition to this, athletic contests were held, also master 
singer and band concerts. The camp was thrown open to visi- 
tors and thousands attended to aid the soldiers in celebrating the 
day. In the evening the festivities continued in the bungalows 
of the Knights of Columbus and Y. M. C. A., while in the main 
auditorium of the Knights of Columbus the motion picture of 
Joan of Arc was thrown upon the screen. 



141 



Lafayette Day and the Press 

LAFAYETTE DAY AND THE PRESS 

Among the articles devoted to the double anniversary of 
Lafayette and the Marne, September 6th, 1918, are those which 
appeared in the following publications, clippings of which have 
been forwarded to the French Government through its Ambassa- 
dor here, in a book presented on behalf of the Lafayette Day 
National Committee and the Lafayette Day Citizens' Committee 
of New York : 



Alabama: 




Chicago Journal 


Birmingham Ledger 




" News 


Birmingham Herald 




Post 
Star 


Arkansas: 




" Tribune 


Little Rock Gazette 




Indiana: 


California: 




Bedford American 


Los Angeles Express 




Indianapolis American 


" " L'Union 


Nouvelle 


Examiner 


Times 




" Star 


San Francisco Chronicle 


Times 


" " Examiner 


Richmond Palladium 


Connecticut: 




Iowa: 


Bridgeport Post 




Burlington Hawkeye 


Telegram 




Waterloo Courier 


" Times 






Hartford Courant 




Kansas : 

Leavenworth Times 


Delaware: 




Wichita Eagle 


Wilmington News 




Kentucky: 


District of Colimibia: 




Louisville Courier-Journal 


Washington Evening 


Star 




Evening 


Times 


Louisiana: 


Herald 




New Orleans L'Union Nouvelle 


Post 




" " Times Picayune 


Star 




Shreveport Times 


Times 




Maine: 


Florida: 




Bangor Commercial 


Jacksonville Metropol 


lis 


Lewiston Journal 


Macon Telegraph 




Maryland: 


Georgia: 




Baltimore American 


Atlanta Constitution 




Star 


Illinois: 




Massachusetts : 


Chicago American 




Boston Advertiser 


" Examiner 




" American 


Herald 




' Christian Science Monitor 
Union 



142 



Lafayette Day and the Press 



Boston Daily Globe 
Eve. " 
Herald 
Post 
" Record 
" Transcript 
" Traveler 
Fitchburg Sentinel 
Springfield Republican 

Michigan : 

Detroit Free Press 

" Nev/s 

Minnesota: 

Minneapolis News 

St. Paul Pioneer-Press 

Missouri: 

Kansas City Journal 
St. Louis Post Dispatch 

Nebraska: 
Lincoln Star 
Omaha Bee 

New Jersey: 

Atlantic City Gazette Review 
Elizabeth Evening Journal 
Hoboken Observer 
Jersey City Journal 

" " Evening Journal 

Newark Call 

" Evening News 

" News 

Trenton Times 
Union Hill Dispatch 
" Observer 

New York: 

Alban}^ Journal 

" Knickerbocker 
Auburn Advertiser-Journal 

" Citizen 

Brooklyn Citizen 

" Daily Eagle 

" Standard Union 

" Times ■ 

Buffalo Coiirrier 
'' Enquirer 
" Express 
" News 
New York City Aerial Age 
" " " American 
;' " " Call 
" " " Commercial 
" " " Courrier des Etats 



New York City Evening Sun 

" :; :: " worw 

Exhibitors Trade 
« « ., . Review 

Financial Amer. 
Globe 

<•■ tt " TT J 

Heraid 
" u i Jour, of Com. 
Journal 
Mail 
" " " Motion Picture 
„ \\ '[ Musical America 
],' Morn. Telegraph 
^^ ^^ Fnancial America 
News 

'; " " Outlook 
;; ;; ;; Post 

Review 
Sun 
<. !! '! Telegram 

Times 
L L' i] Town Topics 
^ " Tribune 

" War Weekly 
" World 
Rochester Chronicle 

Herald 
^^ , " Post Express 

Schenectady Gazette 
Syracuse Post Standard 
Utica Press 

Ohio: 

Cincinnati Enquirer 

" Post 

Tribune 

" Tribune 

Toledo Times 

Oregon: 

Portland Oregonian 



Pennsylvania: 
Altoona Times 
Tribune 

Enquirer 
I'hiladelphia Bulletin 

]] Evening Ledger 

^^ North American 

Press 
" Public Ledger 

Record 
Pittsburgh Despatch 
Leader 

Press 



143 



Lafayette Day and the Press 



Rhode Island: 

Providence Journal 

South Carolina: 

Charleston Americaa 

Tennessee: 

Memphis Commercial Appeal 
Nashville Banner 

Texas: 

Beaumont Journal 
Galveston News 

Virginia: 

Danville Bee 

Norfolk Virginian Pilot 

Richmond Journal 

" Times Dispatch 



Washington: 

Seattle Times 
Spokane Spokesman 

W. Virginia: 

Wheeling Intelligencer 

" Register 

Wisconsin: 

Milwaukee Evening Journal 

" Evening Sentinel 

" Free Press 

" Journal 

Wyoming: 

Sheridan Enterprise 

CANADA 

Montreal Star 
Toronto Star 



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